HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 31
(By Delegates Fahey, Perry, Beach,
Pino, Pethtel, Varner and Proudfoot)
[Introduced March 1, 2002; referred to the
Committee on Rules.]
Requesting the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to seek an
autism spectrum disorder waiver through a medical assistance
and medicaid home and community-based services waiver for
children with autism spectrum disorder.
Whereas, While a mental retardation waiver is available to
people with an IQ of 75 or below, with a diagnosis of mental
retardation, if a person has an IQ of 76 or higher, that person is
not eligible for medical services. Based on population projections
and national statistics, this would leave almost half of the West
Virginians with autism without any financial help who fall under
Autism Spectrum Disorder and who function in the "normal" IQ range
because the mental retardation waiver does not cover this group;
and
Whereas, A person with autism who has an IQ of 76 or above is
probably not able to hold a high paying job. If that person's family is not able to financially provide for a supported living
arrangement when they are no longer around, that person may be
forced out in the streets. Even if the mental retardation waiver
covers the family member now with autism, there are no guarantees
for the future. The goal of services is to enable a person to
improve that person. From time to time, a person receiving
services under the mental retardation waiver must be retested. As
a result of receiving services, a person on the border of
eligibility may actually test out of eligibility for the mental
retardation waiver. From time to time, the government changes
criteria for the mental retardation waiver and access can become
more difficult with each change; and
Whereas, Individuals with autism should be entitled to health
insurance at no cost to the family. This medical coverage should
include alternative treatments, therapies, and all testing involved
with autism in addition to or amended to the already "in place
medical coverage." It is well known throughout the world that most
parents and professionals are more and more utilizing the
alternative treatment, therapy and educational options with autism.
Medicare and Medicaid do not currently cover them, leaving the
parents with already stressed bank accounts with the bill; and
Whereas, Children with autism are seeing many benefits many
even gaining much needed ground which otherwise might have been
lost. West Virginia needs to help support these parents, children,
and individuals with autism utilizing these treatment, therapy and
educational options, and help to pay for these costs; and
Whereas, The Autism Spectrum Disorder Waiver through Medical
Assistance will allow eligible children with autism spectrum
disorder to receive additional waiver services to support them in
their home and community; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the Secretary of Health and Human Resources is requested
to seek an autism spectrum disorder waiver through a medical
assistance and medicaid home and community-based services waiver
for children with autism spectrum disorder; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates
forward a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of Health and
Human Resources.