THE GREATEST FUNDRAISER FOR AUTISM

By Wayne Rohde

As the news is exploding around us regarding the vaccine court and conceded Federal Government cases, I still wonder what most of the families are going to do about continuing to pay for treatments and therapies for their children.

I want to propose the Greatest Fundraiser for Autism.  It does not involve a walk or marathon, bake sale, or car wash, or tracking down all your neighbors for pledges for the upcoming 48 hour dance-a-thon.

With all due respect to local organizations that have all sorts of fundraisers to provide monies for family outreach programs, family training services, or help with respite care, my proposal clearly will provide a greater direct financial impact to each parent and/or family.
Most of the national fundraisers are just that; fundraising for a national organization.  Research, Research, and more Research!  I am all for that, however, I would like to see more research on viable and environmental areas that we might see results in my lifetime.  Remember, we are still researching for decades, the causes of Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, and many cancers.  And I give to those organizations.

It has been a dream of many that if we can promote fundraising on a national scale, then why can’t we make it a goal to raise money for the cause that needs it most, the family of an autistic child or adult.  They are the ones fighting off the creditors, trying to provide the best care and education for their loved one, trying to stay on step ahead of the utility company turn off switch, hiding from the repo man, and looking at the trustee at the bankruptcy court as the only way out.

Autism United, NAA, and a few other organizations are doing their best to raise money for families.  However, they can not raise enough money to cover all the families.  The fundraiser is the only way to reach more families with direct benefit.

The fundraiser needs a lot of organization, lots of letter writing, lots of phone calls and emails, lots of shaking hands, talking to as many people as possible, will require a lot of time away from your work and family.  Sounds fun... sort of.  Root canals are less painful than my proposal.

My father told me when I was very young that the best things in life are not free, nor do they come easy.

The fundraiser is this…………insurance coverage for autism.  We have several states that have some form or another, plus several others considering.  For the other 32+ states, what is keeping you from providing the best fundraiser for autism?

For those who do not have private insurance, you will benefit as well.  The military thru TriCare has relaxed the rules to allow parents to seek private sector practitioners. 
Most states have acute shortages of doctors and therapist that will accept Medicaid.  Most states have acute shortages of doctors and therapists period.

Private Insurance Coverage creates more health care access for all.  Doctors and therapists are opening practices and businesses in states where insurance coverage has passed.  Just ask South Carolina and Texas.

More practitioners that receive reimbursements as an insurance provider will also accept Medicaid patients as well.

As more states pass autism insurance mandates, employees of self funded companies are pressuring their employers to modify their health care plans to included autism related treatments and therapies.

In Oklahoma, the greatest fundraiser is known as Nick’s Law.  We know that Nick’s Law is an economic engine that creates medical jobs, provides greater health care access to all, prevents a huge taxpayer mandate to the citizens of Oklahoma, and provides for the necessary diagnosis, treatments, and therapies for our children.

Wayne Rohde Lives in Edmond, OK with wife Robyne and twin sons Austin and Nicholas (Nick’s Law).  Nicholas has been diagnosed with autism.

Comments

[Wayne]

Keith

Insurance coverage is just another way to finance health care. Currently, the taxpayers and/or out pocket payments by families are the financiers of autism health care.

What I envision happening in the near future is this scenario: Insurance companies suing Pharma for the problems that they have caused with vaccines and the insurance companies having to provide the "financing" to clean up this problem.

The problems that you are talking about regarding insurance is spot on. It has taken us nearly 50 years to get into this mess. It will not be fixed overnight and it will not be fixed in one step.

Autism mandates have not caused insurance premiums despite popular thought. Indiana has had 6 years of overage and no reported increases. Because of employer provider insurance, it will remain very inefficient and costly. If we could eliminate employers out of the mix, insurance costs could be reduced by up to 40%.

[Angela Warner]

Keith,
You are correct to a certain extent. Read my blog. www.autismsalute.blogspot.com BUT what I can tell you is that it will be progress. They will make a mess of it to some extent. And we will have to continue to advocate, but wouldn't it be better and give us the energy to continue on in this journey if we knew at least some kids were being helped through insurance mandates? I think so. I don't mean to sound harsh, but if you don't think so then I have to ask - what are you doing to help? Has your family been pushed to bankruptcy because of treatments? Have you had to forego many treatments because you don't have the money?

Insurance is part of the problem... but I ask this; is there any other disability or diagnosis especially pertaining to children that would exclude or not cover treatment other than autism? I think not. They have to wake up and there are many of us working very hard to make this happen.

If you really believe what you said in your comment, then I challenge you to do something about it! :)
Warmly,
Ang
and I have to say, proud new member of A-CHAMP!

[Keith]

To be honest I would HATE for the insurance industry to be involved with autism. They will screw up autism care. Call me a pessimist but that is likely what will happen. They will act together an exclude certain treatments etc and or drive up the prices of what is avaialble so they can justify premiums increases just like they have done with other health care.

So to me insurance is not the answer. In fact I think insurance is a big part of the problem in healthcare today.

Just wait until pharma cuts a deal with them, like they have done with other meds, and makes it so you wont be covered unless you get vaccinated.