Recent dialogue with senior officials at DHS raises concern that coverage for IEIBT will be reduced in the near future. Last Friday, Amy Dawson of the Autism Advocacy & Law Center had an opportunity to receive an update from senior officials at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) on the Department’s plan to reform [...]
May 7th Legislative Update
May 7th, 2012
Although legislative leaders were planning to close the session on April 30th, the 2012 legislative session is continuing this week. Governor Dayton and legislative leadership are still working to find agreement on bonding, taxes and the Vikings stadium. The House is expected to vote on the Vikings stadium today. The legislature is not expected to [...]
Legislative Update – April 22, 2012
April 22nd, 2012
Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill Adopted April 20, 2012. The Conference Committee for H.F. 2294, the Omnibus Health and Human Services bill, met several times this week to mark up the bill. AALC staff closely monitored this process. Friday night, the committee adopted several additional provisions into the conference committee report, and adopted a [...]
Legislative Update April 16, 2012
April 16th, 2012
The legislature is moving at a break-neck pace toward adjournment. The Omnibus Health and Human Services conference committee will meet soon to hammer out differences between the House and Senate versions and we expect the conference committee process to move faster than usual once it starts. Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill The side-by-sides for [...]
April 10, 2012 Legislative Update
April 10th, 2012
Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill The Omnibus Health and Human Services bill continues to move forward in both the House and Senate. The House bill passed off the House Floor on Friday, March 29th, and will go to conference committee containing the following autism-related provisions: $200,000 is appropriated for a joint study between UMN [...]
Legislative Update March 28, 2012
March 28th, 2012
The Big News is that republican leadership is anxious to finish the session. There is a rumor that the session could be over before Easter, but that seems unlikely. Omnibus Health and Human Services Bill The Omnibus Health and Human Services bill was introduced this past week by Representative Abeler as a delete-all amendment to [...]
Update on Essential Health Benefits – March 20, 2012
March 20th, 2012
Minnesota is working to set up a health exchange that will enable individuals to purchase private health insurance. All plans must include coverage for the “essential health benefits” set. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) sets forth the components of the essential health benefits in § 1302(b)(1), and specifically includes “behavioral health treatment.” [...]
Legislative Update – March 19
March 19th, 2012
Autism Advocacy & Law Center (AALC) Legislative Update March 19, 2012 Committee Meetings This was a busy week at the legislature, as committees are working to pass bills through before this Friday’s deadline. On Wednesday, March 14th, the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee heard testimony on H.F. 1918, which requires the commissioner of [...]
Legislative Update March 10, 2012
March 10th, 2012
Committee Hearings The House Health and Human Services Reform Committee heard testimony on H.F. 1994, the DHS policy bill, on Tuesday March 6th. This bill, as originally introduced, included language requiring the Health Services Advisory Council to review currently available literature regarding treatments for ASD and recommend authorization criteria for services. This language has been [...]
February 28th Autism Advocacy Kick-Off Event
February 22nd, 2012
Location: Minnesota Judicial Center 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155 The event will be at the Minnesota Judicial Center, located adjacent to the State Capitol Building, beginning at 9:00am, Tuesday February 28, 2012. The purpose of this event is to learn how anyone can contribute to the needed advocacy [...]
Amy Dawson is the parent of twins, one of whom has autism and special health care needs. She began practicing law in 1992 at the firm of Faegre & Benson, L.L.P. in Minneapolis. She also worked at the PACER Center and is a member of the Board of the Arc Greater Twin Cities. Amy’s law practice focuses on issues related to autism, disabilities, insurance and estate planning.
Bob Gunderson inspired me to devote my practice to individuals who have disabilities, their families, and the organizations that serve them. Bob Gunderson was my mentor, friend and colleague and I miss him very much. Bob Gunderson served the disability community as an attorney, as a brother, and as a dedicated volunteer who spent many hours in service to organizations such as Opportunity Partners, Fraser, PACER, and the Arc of Minnesota and Arc Greater Twin Cities.