OK SENATOR JAY PAUL GUMM AUTISM NEWS CONFERENCE

The State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF SENATOR JAY PAUL GUMM
Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston & Marshall Counties
 
February 25, 2008

 
MEDIA ADVISORY


Contact: Senator Jay Paul Gumm
State Capitol: (405) 521-5586
Durant: (580) 924-2221
Mobile: (580) 920-6990
 
Senator, Families with Autistic Children
Schedule Capitol News Conference
 
OKLAHOMA CITY – Several families with autistic children will join Senator Jay Paul Gumm for a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 at 10 a.m. The news conference will be in Room 419-C of the State Capitol.

Senator Gumm and the parents will discuss legislative efforts to require health insurance policies to cover autism related diagnosis and treatment.

Gumm, D-Durant, was author of SB 1537, also known as “Nick’s Law”; that measure was not heard in the Senate Retirement and Insurance Committee.

Among the parents joining Senator Gumm will be Wayne Rohde, the father of Nick Rohde, the inspiration for “Nick’s Law.” Mr. Rohde and other parents will be available to discuss the challenges faced by families with autistic children.

The news conference also will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.oksenate.gov; you can reach the streaming video by clicking on the link “Senate Audio-Video, 419-C”.

For more information, please contact Senator Gumm at the above contacts or Amber England at (405) 521-5695, or by email at england@oksenate.gov.

Comments

[Wayne Rohde]

I want to thank the courageous efforts of Sen Gumm, Sen Easley, Sen Anderson and Rep Schwartz of the Oklahoma Legislature for keeping Nick's Law alive.

We are still in the game with many options available to us. I want to challenge all parents and families to rise up to the Insurance onslaught of misinformation and deceit regarding the public statements made about Nick's Law, health care mandates, and the people who are fighting for the cause.

Remember, we are fighting for autism insurance coverage now, but soon the insurance lobby will be coming after another disorder or disability in their quest to lower expenses, thus achieving what they want. A cheap insurance policy with no benefits.