The Ways and Means Committee of the Minnesota House of representatives voted to pass the HHS Supplemental Budget Bill today. The Autism Healthcare Protection Act is part of the much larger HHS Supplemental Budget Bill and survived the day intact. The next step in the process is a vote on the House floor which could [...]
Another hurdle today for the Autism Healthcare Protection Act
May 3rd, 2010
When the MN House Ways and Means Committee convenes in a few moments, the first bill on the agenda is the HHS Supplemental Budget Bill. This omnibus legislation includes the Autism Healthcare Protection Act. The Act will expand private insurance coverage for medically necessary care for individuals who have autism. The Act is endorsed by [...]
MAY 1ST TALKS: “Estate Planning for Families with Children who have Disabilities” AND “Guardianship and Alternatives to Guardianship”
May 1st, 2010
PRESENTATION ON SUPPLEMENTAL NEED TRUSTS GUARDIANSHIP WILL BE OFFERED SATURDAY, MAY 1ST UP NORTH IN BRAINERD: Amy Dawson will explain how a supplemental needs trust and specialized estate planning can help you ensure that your child’s guardian will have the financial resources to take care of your child. Learn why failing to plan for the [...]
SUPPLEMENTAL NEEDS TRUSTS AND GUARDIANSHIP
April 30th, 2010
PRESENTATION ON SUPPLEMENTAL NEED TRUSTS GUARDIANSHIP WILL BE OFFERED APRIL 30TH IN MINNEAPOLIS AND MAY 1ST UP NORTH : Amy Dawson will explain how a supplemental needs trust and specialized estate planning can help you ensure that your child’s guardian will have the financial resources to take care of your child. Learn why failing to [...]
Update on the Autism Healthcare Protection Act
April 30th, 2010
The Minnesota Autism Healthcare Protection Act made it past the House Health Care and Human Services Finance Division and the Finance Committee this week. The Act still has a ways to go before the legislative session ends on the third Monday of May. In a very interesting development, the House Health Care and Human Services [...]
New battle this afternoon
April 28th, 2010
When the House Ways and Means Committee meets this afternoon at 3 pm (or thirty minutes after the floor session), we expect another attempt to kill the Autism Healthcare Protection Act. Earlier today, this important autism health insurance reform passed the Finance Committee as part of the Minnesota House HHS Supplemental Budget Bill. An amendment [...]
Attempt to kill Autism Insurance Reform Defeated
April 28th, 2010
Moments ago Rep. Biskins (R) moved to delete the Autism Healthcare Protection Act from the HHS Supplemental Budget Bill in the House Finance Committee. The Autism Healthcare Protection Act would require insurance plans to cover all evidence-based medically necessary care and help end discrimination against autism. This attempt to defeat meaningful insurance reform to help [...]
Seminar April 28th in Wayzata
April 28th, 2010
Presentation on Special Issues in Estate Planning and Guardianship will be offered twice during April: Amy Dawson will explain how a supplemental needs trust and specialized estate planning can help you ensure that your child’s guardian will have the financial resources to take care of your child. Learn why failing to plan for the future [...]
Analysis of the Autism Healthcare Protection Act
April 28th, 2010
The Autism Healthcare Protection Act will expand insurance coverage to all individuals who have autism in Minnesota.Insurance plans will be required to cover all evidence-based medically necessary care, including but not limited to, behavior therapies and neurodevelopmental therapies. “Evidence-based” is defined in a common sense manner that takes into account the reality that expensive studies [...]
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.