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Happy New Year Everyone!
As most of you know, on
April 13, 2008 Governor John Baldacci signed LD 658 into public
law Chapter 595.
Public Law
123rd Legislature
Second Regular Session
Chapter
595
H.P. 507 - L.D. 658
An Act To Protect the Health of Infants
Beginning January 1, 2009,
"All individual health insurance policies, contracts and
certificates must provide coverage for amino acid-based
elemental infant formula for children 2 years of age and under
in accordance with this section."
Although the law has some
diagnosis requirements, we are light years ahead of where we
were two years ago. Middle income families in Maine no
longer have to struggle with the decision about how to afford a
"treatment" for a child with Severe
Food Allergies, Food Protein Intolerance, Short Bowel Syndrome,
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE), Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or
other condition for which an elemental diet is required.
I wanted to take this
opportunity to thank a few people and organizations for their
help and guidance during our fight.
March of Dimes
The March of Dimes Maine Chapter contacted me back in early
2007, when they first saw our pending legislation. They
are an organization dedicated to improving the health of
babies. In giving back, I ask you to take a moment and
make a donation to this incredible charity.
DONATE
TO THE MARCH OF DIMES
Sharon Schulberger (March of Dimes)
Sharon was my first contact with the March of Dimes. She
walked me through how lobbying worked and what to expect.
She was a great help during the entire legislative process and
kept me grounded and sane.
Amy Carlisle (March of Dimes)
Amy's personal experience with her own child made her an
incredible advocate for our cause. Without her involvement
and her work with Rep. Brautigam, I am not sure our
bill would have passed.
Representative John Brautigam
Representative Brautigam was a chair on the Insurance and
Financial Services Committee. Representative Brautigam was
the legislator ultimately responsible for getting our bill out
of Committee and on to the floor.
Dan Bryan
Dan designed and implemented the BBPHI.com website and logo.
He spent many hours dealing with my changes (and still does). He
continues to help keep our site up and running.
Jason Eberstein
Jason was a fantastic resource during the legislative process.
He answered a legislative newbies never ending questions.
Children's MAGIC
"Children's Milk Allergy and Gastrointestinal Coalition
(MAGIC) is committed to promoting healthcare coverage and
reimbursement of elemental formulas for children who are unable
to consume a natural, life-sustaining diet due to various
allergies or diseases.
Children's MAGIC is composed of parents, organizations,
institutions, and like-minded individuals. " Find out how
you can help Children's
MAGIC pass similar legislation in your state.
Nutricia North America (United States division of SHS
International)
I can't even begin to thank SHS International enough for the
research and development of Neocate, a product that I am
convinced saved our daughter's life.
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