Oklahoma State Senate
OFFICE OF SENATOR JAY PAUL GUMM
Atoka, Bryan, Coal, Johnston & Marshall Counties
For Immediate Release: December 29, 2008
Sen. Jay Paul Gumm
Statement from Sen. Jay Paul Gumm on Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Announcement
“The announcement today by Blue
Cross and Blue Shield is yet another clear and convincing piece
of evidence that Nick’s Law should become Oklahoma’s
law.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield says they have developed a benefit that
‘doesn’t unduly create a price impact’. That statement
corresponds with the actuarial study we provided that shows we can
help autistic children for mere pennies a day.
While a step in the right direction today’s announcement
is only a small piece of the puzzle. We do not know caps on the
benefit; we do not know precisely what therapies are covered; we
do know thousands of Oklahoma families will remain uncovered; we
do know it will be more than a year before this benefit becomes
a reality. While I commend their effort this appears to be an attempt
to put the pin back in the grenade and forestall consideration of
Nick’s law in 2009.
All Oklahoma families deserve autism coverage and they are waiting
for their government to stand up for them. We in Oklahoma cherish
our children and this fight for them does not end with this attempt
to relieve political and market pressures.”
For more information contact:
Senator Gumm's Office: (405) 521-5586

|