Autism and a Federal Bill

Essentially, right now there is a proposed federal bill in draft form that may establish the Medical Home Model as the way of the future for health care, particularly for Autism and other chronic diseases. In essence the MHM is a government run HMO where they along with insurance companies will have the authority to choose our service providers (you know, doctors, therapists, and medical specialists) via government contracts. Actually, it seems it may be even more restrictive in choice than most HMO’s. More upsetting with regard to Autism, under the draft bill, the very organizations who have routinely denied the most recent physical findings and medical treatments that help many of our children and have continually denied to support research into causation of ASD, may have the authority to define exactly what treatment those service providers are allowed to provide in the first place. Think about how many pediatricians have you seen (that weren’t DAN) that you would trust to handle all of your child’s medical treatment and to take decision making control for the treatments your child could receive? This model is being promoted by an organization called the Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative, an organization that despite its name does not have many patients as stakeholders. Rather, the PCPCC is an organization of over 250 members representing the pharmaceutical industry, large employers looking to lower health care costs, doctor groups, and insurance companies. For a complete list of the executive committee, read the article. It is not hard to understand why they would think the MHM is a fabulous way to provide health care: they choose the providers; they define the treatment, and they get to say they are doing it all in the name of the patient.For the tens of thousands those of us who are struggling to find the resources to pay for our children’s treatments, it seems ironic to see the PCPCC’s lobbyist, Edwina Rogers, seen here in a You Tube clip, featured on the Colbert Report, wrapping gifts in actual sheets of money! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXj-oQm-NbE Their opulent 18,000 square foot home would indicate that she and her husband Ed Rogers, a co-founder of the power-house lobbying firm of Barbour, Griffith & Rogers are very, very good at what they do. Their client list is a contract lobbyist wish list, including such companies as Eli Lilly. Wow, that too is ironic, one of the companies that makes thimerosal wants to have a hand in determining the medical treatments children with ASD could receive? Given the tremendous influence these corporations and individuals may have over our children’s health care, it is important to understand their point of view in policy for our children’s healthcare. At a time when so many thousands of parents are struggling just to make ends meet so that their children can get well, one can only hope the Rogers recycle.