Health Insurance Coverage for Autism

EPISODE 34:  HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM

With guest State Lobbyist Bart Baldwin

 

INTRODUCTION:

Hi, everyone! Thanks for joining me today. Bart Baldwin is joining us today. He has over two decades of experience in public policy, lobbying and executive level management in the health care and human services fields, and he’s going to provide some insight for us on public policy decisions, state funding, and how he is providing support to those in the autism community. It’s not the most fun topic, I know, but his experience, I believe, will open your eyes. And as always, if you enjoy our podcast, please rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts, and share with a friend. That’s how we make our voice stronger. Thanks for listening!

 

SEGMENT:

As we all know far too well, at least for our listeners in the United States, health insurance can be really complicated. Many of us have spent so many hours trying to connect the dots with insurance coverage; it is absolutely so stressful, and I personally have cried so many times to strangers on the other end of the phone just trying to make sense of it all. The insurance landscape has changed drastically over the years, and the good news is (as hard as it may seem some days), we have made some progress. As an example, at least 200 million people now have health insurance coverage for ABA because of the tireless efforts and dedication of advocates across the country. One of these advocates is Bart Baldwin. He is a long-time state lobbyist in the state of Kentucky, and his efforts and advocacy have protected the rights, services, and supports of our autism community. Previously, Bart served as the President of the Children’s Alliance, representing child welfare agencies in Kentucky, and was also the National Director of Regional Public Policy for the Washington D.C. based Child Welfare League of America. Again, I understand this is not the most interesting or fun topic (Bart’s gonna love this lead-in), but I can assure you, in my conversations with Bart, he has opened my eyes to just how much hard work is being done behind the scenes that most of us are completely unaware of. Let’s welcome Bart Baldwin.

 

CONCLUSION:

I’ve had many people reach out to me to ask “which health insurance provides the best coverage”? Whew! There are so many things that can affect coverage based on the specific type of insurance your employer carries, to what state you live in, and the list literally goes on and on. Just know there are people there that can assist you in the navigation of it all, AND they are fighting to protect your family. I always say, “Keep the hustle”, and don’t take “no” for an answer. Progress has been made because of the people that didn’t stop, that didn’t accept no as an answer. We’re all in it together! Thanks for being a part of My Autism Tribe, I’ll see ya next week!

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ABA ADVOCATES GROUP:

 

Purpose: to impact public policy decisions, state regulations, state law, state funding and MCO policy decisions to benefit the partners of ABA Advocates and the children and families they serve. Also, to promote the ABA profession to government and community stakeholders.

ABA Advocates is:  A group of provider organizations, individual providers and other advocates who have decided to partner (not in a legal sense) together and pool their funds together to hire Bart Baldwin Consulting to lobby on their behalf and manage ABA Advocates.

ABA Advocates is not:

• a formalized or legal association or coalition.
• a 501(C)3 organization or a 501(C)6 organization or any other IRS defined entity.
• a coalition/association to assist members with business strategy and development.

What ABA Advocates can expect from Bart Baldwin Consulting:

• Direct Lobbying to Key Decision Makers in the:

• General Assembly
• Governor’s Office
• Cabinet for Health and Family Services
• Department for Medicaid Services
• Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
• Department of Education
• Medicaid Managed Care Organizations

• Provide Government Affairs Consultation to include:

• Public Policy Priority Development
• Political Strategy
• Grassroots Advocacy Development
• Training on effective advocacy and lobbying

• Management of ABA Advocates to include:

• Billing and collecting of fees
• Planning, organizing and staffing routine meetings of ABA Advocates
• Maintaining routine communications with all partners of ABA Advocates

For more information or to become a part of ABA Advocates please contact Bart Baldwin at (502) 320-1143.