Include Behavior Analysts in Health Care Legislation

Sign the Petition : 4,876 Letters and Emails Sent So Far

Given the success of behavior modification (often called behavior analysis) in the last century, many states are beginning to professionally license behavior modifiers. The professional licenses in some states like Arizona and Nevada are for Behavior Analysts and in other states, like Pennsylvania, are for Behavior Specialists. However, these newly developing licensed Master's and Doctoral-level mental health professionals are ignored in the most recent health care bills. We seek reimbursement for services similar to Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Counselors and we seek grant funding and career encouragement funding as listed in the bill including funds for tuition remission and reimbursement.
 
Behavior analysis has had considerable success as noted in numerous studies in the treatment of children with behavioral health problems such as Attention Deficit Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and childhood autism. In addition, behavior analysis has proven effectiveness with adults disorders ranging from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and addictions. Finally, behavior analysis has had unprecedented success with children and adults with developmental disabilities. It has achieved this success in a variety of settings ranging across training parents in outpatient clinics, to acting in a consultative capacity with teachers at school, with group home staff, with staff in skilled nursing facilities, and in therapy directly to the client in outpatient clinics.
 
To include behavior analysis and behavior analysts in the health care bill, similar to Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Professional Counselors, will increase public access to health care services; in addition, the commitment of these Master's level professionals to providing evidenced-based services will benefit the public and lower health care costs over the long run. The signers of this petition agree with this, and we ask for your support of this inclusion in health care legislation.		Include Behavior Analysts in Health Care Legislation

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People signing the "Include Behavior Analysts in Health Care Legislation" petition!

  1. Fri., Feb. 26, 2010 9:12 AM    link Alexandra F. | Charlestown, MA

  2. Wed., Feb. 24, 2010 1:06 PM    link Name not displayed | New York, NY

  3. Sun., Feb. 21, 2010 9:12 PM    link amy w. | York, PA

  4. Thu., Feb. 18, 2010 7:09 PM    link Shahdi J. | Dallas, TX

  5. Thu., Feb. 18, 2010 11:44 AM    link Amy J. | Aptos, CA

  6. Thu., Feb. 18, 2010 11:42 AM    link Name not displayed | Campbell, CA

  7. Thu., Feb. 18, 2010 11:35 AM    link Joseph V. | Lansdale, PA

  8. Thu., Feb. 18, 2010 11:24 AM    link hossein a. | Santa Clara, CA

  9. Thu., Feb. 18, 2010 11:19 AM    link ellie t. | Santa Clara, CA

  10. Thu., Feb. 18, 2010 10:42 AM    link Patricia M. | West Chester, PA

  11. Thu., Feb. 18, 2010 9:14 AM    link Nicole S. | Coatesville, PA

  12. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 11:31 PM    link Rebecca D. | San Jose, CA

  13. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 10:38 PM    link Name not displayed | Southampton, PA

  14. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 8:35 PM    link Mandie S. | Martinsburg, PA

  15. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 1:23 PM    link michelle d. | Pottstown, PA

  16. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 12:45 PM    link Linda R. | Carlisle, PA

  17. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 12:27 PM    link Andrea L. | Folsom, PA

    Please, this is very important to having our kids become contributing members of society.

  18. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

  19. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 12:26 PM    link Karin F. | Narberth, PA

  20. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 12:19 PM    link Katie V. | Conshohocken, PA

  21. Wed., Feb. 17, 2010 12:06 PM    link Joanna M. | Wallingford, PA

    It is completely wrong that the most qualified professionals to provide ABA services (the most proven therapy for autistic children) are not included in the legislation. It makes no sense that my insurance company would have to cover this service if I took my son to a Marriage Counselor, but not if I took him to a Behavior Analyst. My son is making great improvements, but the current cost is more than my mortgage and I won't be able to continue his services without help from the insurance that I pay for. The exclusion of BCBAs is hurting our kids!

  22. This comment has been reported to the site manager. It will be reviewed and removed if inappropriate. Thank you!

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