Autism Related Initiatives and Legislation

Enactment of ARICA, an Act Relative to Insurance Coverage for Autism, represented a systemic change for the way families impacted by autism will be able access healthcare across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  On behalf of all the families who struggle with autism and its devastating and lifelong impacts, the Autism Consortium applauds the leadership of Rep. Barbara L'Italien and Senator Fred Berry for steering the bill through the legislature and the autism community for joining together in successfully and consistently advocating for its passage.  The clinicians of the Autism Consortium were pleased and proud to have individually and collectively participated in this important effort. Their joint statement is below

 ARICA AC Response 2010 129.55 Kb

Since enactment of ARICA in August 2010, the Autism Consortium clinicians have also actively participated in months of hearings and dialogue with the State Department of Insurance which was charged with rulemaking and implementation.  Please see the joint physicians' statement regarding diagnostic evaluation and commonly prescribed treatments for ASDs.

 AC Joint Statement 85.89 Kb

The newly formed Autism Insurance Resource Center, located at the UMass Shriver Center, is now up and running under the direction of Amy Weinstock, one of the new law’s strongest proponents.  Extensive information about ARICA is available through the center.  Please see www.disabilityinfo.org/arica