(posted on UAC''s facebook page yesterday): The new autism prevalence rates of 1:88 children nationwide and
1:47 in Utah represent a call to each of us to take action now, in our
own sphere of influence, for in that action there is so much hope for
the many families and individuals affected by autism. For Autism
Awareness month, the Utah Autism Coalition will be featuring a call to
action to a group of individuals each day of April.
Day 1: A Call to Action for Insurance Executives.
Dear Insurance Executive,
As the rates of autism continue to climb and answers as to what causes
this disorder continue to evade us, you are hereby issued a call to
action. You are called to take a stand now, before this ever-growing
population becomes an adult population that is dependent upon society
for much, if not all, of their care. You have in your power the ability
to provide affordable, effective coverage for the diagnosis and
evidence-based treatment that has been shown to reduce maladaptive
symptoms of autism in 80-90% of those fortunate enough to receive it.
Not only is this in your power, but this is ultimately in your best
interest. The cost of treatment has been shown to be between $0.44 -
$0.83 per member per month. The cost of NOT treating these children is
so much more than financial; but if dollar signs are the only language
you understand then you need to know that the care for an untreated
individual with autism is estimated to be over $3 million dollars
throughout their lifetime. The cost of offering effective, symptom
reducing, life-enhancing, evidence-based treatment to children with
autism seems rather small when put in those terms, doesn't it? And yet
you continue to deny treatment to this vulnerable - and treatable -
population.
I recently spoke with a reporter who
was inquiring about the problem parents face in accessing critical
treatment for their children with autism. He posed an interesting
question: "Is the only way to solve this problem to mandate insurance
carriers to provide coverage for autism?" To that I responded, "No.
There is nothing preventing insurance carriers from choosing to cover
autism. The fact is, however, that they have seen the facts since 1987
and have deliberately chosen to continue the practice of discriminating
against children with autism and to pass the burden of care onto to
society, tax-payers and parents." It goes deeper than this, however. You
have spent millions of dollars on lobbyists to fight against any
legislation that would require coverage for autism. In a stroke of
irony, one of your lobbyist approached me after a particularly
devastating legislative meeting and told me that you are not against
covering autism; you are just against a mandate requiring the coverage
of autism. To that I responded, through gritted teeth and tears I
refused to let fall in his presence, "
Then show me the coverage."
I repeat this call again.
SHOW ME THE COVERAGE. This time my teeth are gritted, but the tears freely fall.
Show me the coverage. Show the world you are a responsible industry. Show the world you are a team player in the healthcare industry.
Show me the coverage.
Spend your millions working toward solutions that are evidence-based
and scientifically sound rather than paying high-powered lobbyists to
fight against these solutions. As the numbers rise, I urge you... I
plead with you... stop this insanity.
Show me the coverage.
Because one day, heaven forbid, you will find that YOU - yes you - are
personally affected by this disorder in someway. You cannot continue to
abandon this community, shirk social responsibility and perpetuate
another lost generation and expect that society will not demand that you
fulfill the role for which you exist: to cover medical conditions for
your members.
Show me the coverage.
That
said, I would like to highlight a group of responsible businesses who
are self insured and have CHOSEN to address this problem head on. I
would like to lead off with
Home Depot,
who has decided to offer an autism benefit to their employees 8 years
ago. They continue to fight for awareness and equality in the medical
coverage offered to children with autism. If fact, you can purchase
autism awareness blue light bulbs there right now. Go buy a few and
start today by lighting up your porch. Then
show me the coverage. Other responsible self-adopting companies include:
- Microsoft
- Intel
- Capital One
- Arnold & Porter
- Eli Lilly
- Deloitte
- The Ohio State University
- Mayo Clinic
- HealthCentral
- Lexington Medical Center
- University of Minnesota
- Progressive Group
- Greenville Hospital System
- Time Warner
- City of Atlanta
- Oracle
- Adobe Systems Inc.
- Yahoo Inc.
- Cisco
- DTE Energy
- Princeton University
- Children's Mercy
- Aspect Software
- Partners Healthcare
As you will notice, covering autism hasn't caused these companies
financial strain. These are successful, thriving socially responsible
organizations. Take a page from their book. You might find that doing
the right thing doesn't feel as icky as you think it would and then you
wouldn't have to endure the discomfort of being told what to do. Again:
Show me the coverage.
Sincerely,
The Utah Autism Coalition
