Medicare for Autism Now Society
Welcome to our “Medicare for Autism Now!” website. This site is dedicated to discussion and information pertaining to our political initiative to have science-based autism treatment, ABA/IBI universally accessible to every Canadian who requires it and covered under Medicare.
The “Medicare for Autism Now!” Society was incorporated in August, 2008. We are a national coalition of non-partisan, parents, advocates, professionals and growing numbers of other fair-minded Canadians seeking Medicare coverage for effective, science-based autism treatment otherwise known as ABA (applied behavior analysis). Over 40 years of research and litigation have identified this treatment as medically necessary. It is the only core health need not included in health care, therefore costing thousands of Canadian families up to $80 thousand dollars a year each to access the only uniquely effective treatment for their children.
Medicare is not available for autism treatment anywhere in Canada despite a government run health plan that is supposedly universal. It is unacceptable that children with physical disabilities have access to government health insurance coverage, yet children with a mental or neurological disability do not share in this important social safety net benefit. This is the case in every province in Canada.
The “Medicare for Autism Now!” Society was incorporated in August, 2008. We are a national coalition of non-partisan, parents, advocates, professionals and growing numbers of other fair-minded Canadians seeking Medicare coverage for effective, science-based autism treatment otherwise known as ABA (applied behavior analysis). Over 40 years of research and litigation have identified this treatment as medically necessary. It is the only core health need not included in health care, therefore costing thousands of Canadian families up to $80 thousand dollars a year each to access the only uniquely effective treatment for their children.Medicare is not available for autism treatment anywhere in Canada despite a government run health plan that is supposedly universal. It is unacceptable that children with physical disabilities have access to government health insurance coverage, yet children with a mental or neurological disability do not share in this important social safety net benefit. This is the case in every province in Canada.
The “Medicare for Autism Now!” initiative was launched by FEAT of BC (Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC), a not-for-profit, volunteer organization who have been advocating for universal accessibility to autism treatment for over a decade. In the January 2006 federal election, FEAT of BC took part in five local BC campaigns. In at least one, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast, and perhaps a second, New Westminster-Coquitlam, it is fair to claim that we may have made the difference to the outcome. Due to its success and increasing interest in the initiative, “Medicare for Autism Now!” has transformed from a local BC initiative to an incorporated society with national representation.The “Medicare for Autism Now!” national campaign was launched in March, 2008. It focused on creating policy change to make ABA/IBI treatment available for all Canadians diagnosed with autism, regardless of age or where they live. In the recent federal election, candidates in 14 constituencies across Canada, including BC, Ontario and the Maritimes, regardless of party affiliation, were supported if they publicly committed to voting for legislation which will amend the Canada Health Act to include autism treatment under Medicare, thereby ending the discrimination against some of the most vulnerable Canadians.
The results of the October 14th 2008 federal election were in some ways disappointing and frustrating. However, our three-fold objectives were largely met. They were: firstly, to raise public awareness of and support for our cause; secondly, to recruit new activists and supporters; and thirdly, to influence the electoral outcome in certain targeted constituencies. Our campaign was very successful concerning our first two objectives. As for the third, while we really can’t tell what impact our campaign had, clearly the overall results were disappointing. In the circumstances of this election, with a global financial melt-down dominating the final week, it would be surprising in the extreme if our campaign was to have played a significant role in determining electoral outcomes. Such are the vagaries of politics.
Once again the situation tests our mettle. So, what are we made of? It’s a question we each need to ask ourselves in the weeks and months ahead.
How can you help?
1) When an election is called we encourage you, regardless of where you live, to contact the candidate of each political party in your riding to ask the question: If you are elected to the House of Commons will you publicly commit to supporting legislation which will amend the Canada Health Act to include autism treatment?
2) Keep the pressure on your member of parliament. Let them know via email or otherwise, that you will be watching their actions and not listening to their words concerning Medicare coverage for autism treatment.
3) We need your continuing financial assistance. We are volunteering our time but it takes money to advertise, print brochures, book venues etc. Please help by sending cheques to:
The results of the October 14th 2008 federal election were in some ways disappointing and frustrating. However, our three-fold objectives were largely met. They were: firstly, to raise public awareness of and support for our cause; secondly, to recruit new activists and supporters; and thirdly, to influence the electoral outcome in certain targeted constituencies. Our campaign was very successful concerning our first two objectives. As for the third, while we really can’t tell what impact our campaign had, clearly the overall results were disappointing. In the circumstances of this election, with a global financial melt-down dominating the final week, it would be surprising in the extreme if our campaign was to have played a significant role in determining electoral outcomes. Such are the vagaries of politics.
Once again the situation tests our mettle. So, what are we made of? It’s a question we each need to ask ourselves in the weeks and months ahead.
How can you help?
1) When an election is called we encourage you, regardless of where you live, to contact the candidate of each political party in your riding to ask the question: If you are elected to the House of Commons will you publicly commit to supporting legislation which will amend the Canada Health Act to include autism treatment?
2) Keep the pressure on your member of parliament. Let them know via email or otherwise, that you will be watching their actions and not listening to their words concerning Medicare coverage for autism treatment.
3) We need your continuing financial assistance. We are volunteering our time but it takes money to advertise, print brochures, book venues etc. Please help by sending cheques to:
Medicare for Autism Now
Suite 425-1489 Marine Drive,
West Vancouver, BC,
V7T 1B8
The glacial pace of bureaucratic time that afflicts the federal government in its approach to this urgent medical emergency is not acceptable. We are completely non-partisan, but we are going after any politician of any political party who continues to deny health care to Canadians affected by autism. Our governing motto is attributable to the late US Senator Everitt Dirksen, who once said, “When I feel the heat, I see the light.”
"Mr. Harper, why won't you help my brother?"
"Mr. Harper, why won't you help my brother?"