Public Policy and Practice   |   Update: September 7, 2011

Urgent! Immediate action needed to support SB 946. Protect ABA Services. Your future is in your hands.

SB 946 authored by Darrel Steinberg, Senate Pro Tem, will be heard TODAY (Wednesday, September 7, 2011) in the Assembly Health Committee. You can watch the hearing on calchannel.com. IF SB 946 is passed this week by both the Assembly and the Senate – and signed by Governor Brown – it will significantly improve access to ABA treatment provided by qualified professionals.

Here are the facts:

  1. SB 946 (Steinberg) is a health plan coverage mandate for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. It will mandate coverage of ABA services by Board Certified Behavior Analysts beginning July 1, 2012. Click here to read SB 946.

  2. It is THE health plan coverage mandate for ABA for Californians with autism spectrum disorders (replaces SB 770, AB 161, AB 171).

  3. It differs from the settlements DMHC reached with Blue Cross and Blue Shield this summer because:

    1. it mandates behavioral health treatments be covered by all health plans (not just ones involved in settlements) and

    2. it names BCBAs as providers. This means that BCBAs would be deemed qualified to supervise treatment plans.

What you need to do TODAY, Wednesday September 7, 2011:

  1. Call, email, or fax your State Assembly Member and ask him or her to vote "yes" on SB 946 TODAY. Explain why SB 946 is important to you and the individuals and families you serve.

  2. Call, email, or fax your State Senator and ask him or her to vote "yes" on SB 946 TODAY. Explain why SB 946 is important to you and the individuals and families you serve.

  3. Alert 5 colleagues and consumers to the important action taking place this week. Explain why it is important. Ask them to learn about SB 946 and contact their State Assembly Member and State Senator and vote "yes" on SB 946.

CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR STATE SENATOR AND ASSEMBLY MEMBER. leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

What you need to do TOMORROW Thursday, September 8, 2011:

  1. Make sure you contacted your State Assembly Member and State Senator. SEE ABOVE.

  2. Alert 5 more colleagues and consumers. Talk with them about SB 946 and what it will mean to California consumers who need ABA and their families. Ask them to learn about SB 946 and contact their State Assembly Member and State Senator and vote "yes" on SB 946.

What you need to do FRIDAY, September 9, 2011:

REPEAT 1 AND 2 ABOVE. WE NEED EVERY BEHAVIOR ANALYST TO TAKE ACTION. DON'T ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL DO YOUR JOB FOR YOU.

Got an extra minute? Thank Senator Steinberg for his leadership in authoring SB 946. Fax: (916) 323-2263 Phone: (916) 651-4006

Questions? Contact CalABA at info@calaba.org