Wow! Federal NDP Replies to My Inquiry This Morning Re Negotiations to Include ABA for Autism under Medicare

I confess I was surprised  to get a same day response this evening from the federal NDP to my question this morning addressed to party leader Thomas Mulcair.  The federal NDP committed to continuing the efforts which they have in fact made over the years in Parliament towards creation of an EFFECTIVE national autism strategy.   

To Canada's  federal NDP and leader Thomas Mulcair I say thank you.

8:20 PM (9 minutes ago)

to me

Dear Mr. Doherty:

Thank you for providing such a helpful summary of your discussions with us on this important issue.

New Democrats have a proven record of working with the autism activist community toward increasing awareness and supports for those living with autism spectrum disorders. NDP MPs have, over many years, proposed bills and motions in Parliament toward the creation of an effective national autism strategy. We are committed to continuing that effort as government.

The success of any national autism strategy that includes medically recognized treatments such as Applied Behavioural Analysis and Intensive Behavioural Intervention, depends on the commitment and involvement of provincial and territorial, as well as federal governments. At the moment, for lack of federal leadership, the levels of support vary widely across the country.

Over the past decade, the Harper government has consciously chosen to abandon its leadership role in Canada’s health system and has turned its back on the federal-provincial-territorial cooperation necessary to maintain and improve our public system – including measures to better address autism needs. Stephen Harper has not only refused to renew the national health accord but has unilaterally cut billions of dollars from future provincial/territorial health transfers.

Under Tom Mulcair, an NDP government will live up to its national leadership role and move quickly to re-establish a collaborative working relationship with provincial and territorial governments. A New Democratic autism strategy would be forged within this renewed negotiation and would establish, with provincial and territorial cooperation, access to treatment across Canada.

Canada’s New Democrats | Le NPD du Canada

Ready for change | Ensemble pour le changement

www.ndp.ca

Mr. Mulcair Will the NDP Negotiate A New Health Accord to Include ABA for Autism Under Medicare?

September 30, 2015

Thomas Mulcair 

Leader of the Official Opposition

Dear Mr Mulcair

The Federal NDP has in the past been very helpful in addressing autism on a national level including efforts by Nova Scotia MP Peter Stoffer who worked with the late Fredericton Liberal MP Andy Scott to effect passage of a National Autism Strategy motion in the House of Commons albeit one  which did not address autism treatment coverage under Medicare.  In July 2014 I asked if the NDP would support a real National Autism Stragegy.  I receivd the following positive response from your office:

Dear Mr. Doherty,

Thank you for writing. We appreciate hearing of your advocacy work on behalf of your son and all individuals living with autism spectrum disorders.

Please be assured that New Democrats are determined to help put the needs of Autistic children on the political map. The NDP supports the continuing efforts to create a National Autism Strategy, therefore ensuring that individuals would receive the highest level of care, regardless of which region of Canada they live in.

As you mentioned, NDP MP Glenn Thibeault is helping to provide leadership on this matter along with working to have the Canada Health Act amended to include Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) and Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) as medically recognized treatments for individuals living with autism spectrum disorders. (http://glennthibeault.ndp.ca/post/thibeault-re-introduces-autism-legislation) 

Going forward you can count on our team of New Democrat MPs to continue to speak out on this matter. It’s time for leadership that will move Canada forward.

Again, thank you for taking the time to be in touch.

All the best,

Office of Thomas Mulcair, MP (Outremont)

Leader of the Official Opposition

New Democratic Party of Canada

Here in Fredericton I asked candidates in the current election the following question  as part of the Medicare for Autism Now!'s 1 in 68 campaign:

I was very pleased to receive the following excellent response to the One in 68 question from the Fredericton NDP candidate Sharon Scott-Levesque:

Hello Harold,

I wish to thank you for your message regarding the inclusion of Applied Behaviour Analysis in Medicare. As you have noted, this is an issue affecting a growing number of Canadian families, and I understand the high costs of treatment are of great concern.

As you know the Canada Health Act requires provinces to cover medically necessary services without naming any particular procedure.  This means that the decision on what to cover has been left up to the provinces, creating a patchwork system where some provinces provide coverage for Applied Behavioural Analysis and others do not.

-

I recognize that this disparity creates a hardship for families and myself and the NDP are interested in working with the provinces to see this disparity eliminated. This is definitely a subject we will raise with the provinces when we negotiate a new Health Accord.

I do support this change and hope we can work together in the future.

Regards,

Sharon Scott- Levesque RN

Fredericton NDP Candidate

Mr Mulcair, past NDP contributions have been helpful but the failure by the federal government to see that science based ABA/IBI treatment for autism is included under Medicare means that many autistid children have not received the training which could have helped improve the core deficits of their autism disorders.

NDP candidate Sharon Scott-Levesque's statement of her support is much appreciated. 

Mr. Mulcair, can you confirm that the NDP will commit to  negotiating a new  Health Accord with the provinces which will include science based ABA/IBI  treatment for autism spectrum disorder uner Medicare?

Respectfully,

Harold Doherty

Fredericton, NB

Join Fredericton Green Candidate Mary Lou Babineau In Signing the Medicare for Autism Now! Petition

                          https://www.change.org/p/government-of-canada-medicare-for-autism-now

Statement on Medicare for Autism now!

While it is true that the tremendous advancements in medicine and technology have granted us longer lives, there are still distressing developments: for instance, the increasing number of illnesses and syndromes appearing and affecting our children. The rates of attention deficit disorder, autism and others are on the rise.

The Canada Health Act has five general principles – public administration, comprehensiveness, universality, portability, and accessibility, but the federal government has not been applying them to support greater national consistency and equal quality of services from coast to coast. In addition, the federal government has failed to develop a national strategy to address such challenges as autism and dementia.

I recognize that it is vital to ensure that the federal government provides funding as necessary and I also think that this funding needs to be accompanied by strong federal government leadership. I pledge to follow through on our commitment to a science-based national Mental Health Strategy and this is something I will advocate for in the amendment process for a new and improved Canada Health Act. 

Sincerely,

Mary Lou Babineau
Green Party Candidate for Fredericton

Join Mary Lou Babineau in signing the Medicare for Autism Now! petition 

here: https://www.change.org/p/government-of-canada-medicare-for-autism-now

Fredericton NDP Sharon Scott-Levesque Supports ABA Coverage For Autism Under A New Canada Health Act Accord

Hello Harold,

I wish to thank you for your message regarding the inclusion of Applied Behaviour Analysis in Medicare. As you have noted, this is an issue affecting a growing number of Canadian families, and I understand the high costs of treatment are of great concern.

As you know the Canada Health Act requires provinces to cover medically necessary services without naming any particular procedure.  This means that the decision on what to cover has been left up to the provinces, creating a patchwork system where some provinces provide coverage for Applied Behavioural Analysis and others do not.

-

I recognize that this disparity creates a hardship for families and myself and the NDP are interested in working with the provinces to see this disparity eliminated. This is definitely a subject we will raise with the provinces when we negotiate a new Health Accord.

I do support this change and hope we can work together in the future.

Regards,

Sharon Scott- Levesque RN

Fredericton NDP Candidate

Thank you Sharon Scott-Levesque for supporting the inclusion of ABA for autism treatment in a new Canada Health Act accord.  Harold Doherty

The Environment Is Of Vital Importance - Next Time Include Elizabeth May

This blog is focused on autism disorders, very closely related conditions including intellectual disability and epilepsy.  It is about my son and the joy he brings me each day despite his serious disorders and challenges.  Occasionally it is just a celebration via pictures of the pleasure I experience each day that I live in Canada's Green City .... Fredericton.  Fredericton has been called the Green City, not because of any political party dominance under the green banner although Mr David Coon shook 'the traditional voting patterns one year ago when he was elected as an MLA in Fredericton , but because of its abundant natural growth and wildlife.  It is a beautiful green city and I love Fredericton.  Beyond these topics I don't usually touch directly on politics unless it involves advocating for autism services in  New Brunswick and federally.

I am making an exception today though.  I am asking whoever organizes future debates in this election period to include Elizabeth May in those debates. I am seriously disappointed with the "masterminds", the old boys, who decided to exclude Green Party leader Elizabeth May from the debate last night.  Obviously elections are about electing representatives including a party to form our government.  But elections are also about discussing important public issues and few public issues are as important as our environment.  The wizards that organized yesterday's leaders debate, hiding it so it could barely be found and excluding Elizabeth May did a disservice to all Canadians.  Regardless of the party affiliation for the person we vote for as MP this country can use Elizabeth May.

Elizabeth May can discuss all issues with her very sharp  and well informed mind.  But she brings an exceptionally important perspective  and presence to the discussion of our environment ... the most important issue, in my humble opinion, facing all Canadians. 

Research Review: Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

My son Conor, now 19 1/2 years old, stimming, a recognized feature 

of autism spectrum disorder, in this older picture.

Conor, a couple of years ago, at the Chalmers Hospital 

intensive care unit, where he was being treated for  rhabdomyolisis, 

a serious adverse  reaction to his epilepsy seizure meds at that time. 

As the father of a son with autism spectrum disorder, intellectuall disability and epilepsy I have asked myself if these conditions are in fact related. It has been my non evidence based belief, based solely on observing, caring for and loving my son for almost 20 years that he has one condtion that affects him and causes his deficits.

I have attached a copy of the abstract of the reseach review Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?  I  hope to obtain a copy of the study itself and more importantly I hope that the study encourages more study and discussion by neurological researchers and professionals of this subject.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy commonly co-occur. In this review, we consider some unresolved questions regarding the temporal relationship, causal mechanisms, and clinical stratification of this comorbidity, highlighting throughout the interplay between autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. We present data on the clinical characterization of children with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy, discussing distinctive phenotypes in children with this comorbidity. Although some distinctive clinical features emerge, this comorbidity also informs convergent pathways in genetic variants that cause synaptic dysfunction. We then move beyond diagnostic categorization and consider the extent to which electrophysiology as a quantitative biomarker may help guide efforts in clinical stratification and outcome prediction. Epilepsy, and atypical electrophysiological patterns, in autism spectrum disorder may inform the definition of biologically meaningful subgroups within the spectrum that, in turn, can shed light on potential targets for intervention.
© The Author(s) 2015.

KEYWORDS:
autism spectrum disorder; biomarkers; electroencephalography; epilepsy; intellectual disability

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26374786

Jeste SS1, Tuchman R2. J Child Neurol. 2015 Sep 14. pii: 0883073815601501. [Epub ahead of print]

Fredericton Green Mary Lou Babineau: A Resounding YES!!! to Including Science Based ABA/IBI Autism Treatment Under Medicare

"Dear Harold,

It was wonderful to speak with you, too! This is an issue that is so critical to me and to my family.

Please post my response as a resounding YES!!!

Hope to see you again soon,

Mary Lou"

The One in 68 campaign of Medicare for Autism Now! is well under way.  Candidates in various ridings are being asked to provide clear answers to the "One in 68 QUESTION": "As a member of parliament, will you introduce or support legislation amending the Canada Health Act to include science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) under Medicare"?  The One in 68 refers to autism rates as estimated by credible US authorities.  Our federal government has been made aware over the past decade and more of the need to include science based ABA/IBI under medicare.  Some Canadian provinces including New Brunswick have provided ABA treatment for autism in various degrees,  Others including neighboring Nova Scotia have provided minimal services for autism. 

I hope to speak with all candidates in the Fredericton riding to discuss autism generally and to ask their response to the One in 68 Question.  It was a plesasure to meet with Mary Lou Babineau of the Green Party.  As her answer above indicates she has a real, family based interest in the One in 68 question.  We had a great discussion about autism generally and  how it has affected those close to us. and the need for assistance for those affected by autism. Her very sincere interest in autism is reflected in her answer:

Thank you Mary Lou Babineau for your  resounding YES!!! to inclusion of science-based autism treatment (ABA/IBI) under Medicare.

Conor's Superstore Seizure

Yesterday Conor, his mother and I went to the Superstore on Main Street in Fredericton. As we moved to the express cash to pay for our purchases Conor began convulsing and a full scale tonic clonic or grand mal seizure was underway.  I was able to hold him carefully as he fell to the floor to prevent head injury, placing him on his side so he would not choke.  A shopper, who happened as it tourned out to be a paramedic, came by and provided assistance, including timing the convusions which lasted approximately 3 minutes. and providing assessment commentary as Conor recovered.  The 3 minutes of convulsions and subsequent recovery time may not seem like much but if you are holding your son's head up off the floor while he convulses on the floor of a busy grocery store it can seem much longer. 

Three well trained employees of the Superstore also provided assistance directing shoppers away from our immediate area towards a different cash, forming a line between us and other shoppers, getting a thick blanket for under Conor's head, offering moral support and suggestions, making   a wheelchair available for when Conor was ready to be moved to my car, and actually accompanying us to our car in the parking lot.

Thank you to the Superstore who had trained staff on site to assist in seizure situations, thank you to the 3 employees who provided assistance and support and thank you to the paramedic who happened to be shopping in our immediate vicinity as Conor begain convulsing.

Thank you everyone.