GOP legislators push for autism insurance bill
By Jim Siegel
The Columbus Dispatch Friday October 26, 2012 5:55 AM
The push to require health-insurance plans in Ohio to cover autism-related expenses is not a new one at the Statehouse, but it has never had backing like this.
A trio of GOP legislators — a former corporate CEO, a conservative business attorney and a member of the House Republican leadership team — are leading the charge to expand the state’s 2006 mental-health parity act to include coverage for autism-spectrum disorders. New, identical bills in the House and Senate are co-sponsored by more than 20 other Republicans — whose party has majorities in both houses — along with some Democrats.
Hannah Report 10/25/12
State Government Roundup: Niehaus; Execution
Niehaus Voices Opposition to Campaign Rhetoric
During a non-voting Senate session Thursday, President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) discussed state Senate campaigns around Ohio, including the three races he is keeping an eye on. (See separate story, this issue)
The Senate president also talked about the U.S. Senate race between Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Going into the third and final debate Thursday, both Mandel and Brown have used tough rhetoric leading up to the election. On Wednesday, Gov. John Kasich suggested both candidates have made statements that they probably would like to take back. (See The Hannah Report, 10/24/12.)
Niehaus was asked for his opinion on the messages that both candidates have used throughout the campaign and whether it serves the best interest of the voters.
"I wouldn't isolate it to just the Senate race. I think you can start at the presidential and work your way down," said Niehaus. "The rhetoric that is being used in both is not helpful to the voters. I think people have become very disgusted with just the type of rhetoric and the lack of quality information that they can use to base their voting decision on."
As far as potential lame duck issues, Niehaus said he has met with Kasich and House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) but did not want to go into detail about his discussions or what pieces of legislation might get moved by the end of the year.
He did say the General Assembly should try to address election-related issues that have come up in the past few months, though he added that it might not be crucial to touch on those issues during the lame duck session. At some point, Niehaus said, state leaders should try to facilitate a discussion with the public on the best course of action.
Niehaus Voices Opposition to Campaign Rhetoric
During a non-voting Senate session Thursday, President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) discussed state Senate campaigns around Ohio, including the three races he is keeping an eye on. (See separate story, this issue)
The Senate president also talked about the U.S. Senate race between Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Going into the third and final debate Thursday, both Mandel and Brown have used tough rhetoric leading up to the election. On Wednesday, Gov. John Kasich suggested both candidates have made statements that they probably would like to take back. (See The Hannah Report, 10/24/12.)
Niehaus was asked for his opinion on the messages that both candidates have used throughout the campaign and whether it serves the best interest of the voters.
"I wouldn't isolate it to just the Senate race. I think you can start at the presidential and work your way down," said Niehaus. "The rhetoric that is being used in both is not helpful to the voters. I think people have become very disgusted with just the type of rhetoric and the lack of quality information that they can use to base their voting decision on."
As far as potential lame duck issues, Niehaus said he has met with Kasich and House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina) but did not want to go into detail about his discussions or what pieces of legislation might get moved by the end of the year.
He did say the General Assembly should try to address election-related issues that have come up in the past few months, though he added that it might not be crucial to touch on those issues during the lame duck session. At some point, Niehaus said, state leaders should try to facilitate a discussion with the public on the best course of action.
No comments:
Post a Comment