Ensuring equitable access to health-care and rehabilitation coverage

Eliminating the need of medical re-authorization for those with life-long metabolic disorders – Current laws require that those with lifelong metabolic disorders – like Representative Canavan’s grandson, James, living with PKU (phenylketonuria) – seek a doctor’s re-authorization every six months to one year in order to continue receiving the costly food and formulas modified to be low-in-protein they depend on. Because PKU and other metabolic disorders are life-long, this proposal re-filed by Representative Canavan would eliminate the continuous need for re-authorization.

Guaranteeing health-coverage for all metabolic disorders – This legislation also re-introduced by Representative Canavan would broaden current laws to include urea cycle disorders in the types of disorders for which insurance coverage for non-prescription enteral formulas is mandated. Urea cycle disorders are similar to other metabolic disorders in their need for a strictly-controlled diet of medical formula and modified foods.

Improving access to rehabilitation counseling – This measure filed by Representative Canavan would extend access of cost-effective rehabilitation counseling services as an outpatient to consumers with third-party health insurance. Rehabilitation counselors are currently excluded from receiving third-party benefits under the recently-amended mental health parity law, despite the fact that their education and experience must be equivalent to other professionals presently eligible for reimbursement.

Promoting awareness of hydrocephalus – This legislation, introduced by Representative Canavan and Senator Brian Joyce, would designate September as hydrocephalus awareness month. Hydrocephalus is a neurological condition often referred to as “water on the brain” that affects both children and adults, and can lead to sever motor and cognitive disorders. According to the Hydrocephalus Association, 1-2 of every 1,000 babies born in the United States will be diagnosed with hydrocephalus. While treatable through costly surgery, there is currently no cure for this condition.