Lawmaker blocks autism insurance mandate bills

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Nice look inside the life of this republican..

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/05/05/ap4970749.html

A state lawmaker who has blocked legislation that would require health insurers to cover a variety of medical procedures and conditions has accepted thousands of dollars in donations from individuals or political action committees with ties to the insurance industry, records show.

Rep. Ron Peterson, chairman of the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee, has received a total of $64,600 in election campaign contributions since Jan. 1, 2007, according to records filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. Of the total, $20,075 came from people or PACs with ties to the insurance industry.

Peterson was also criticized after he and other Republican lawmakers attended a fundraiser at the Dallas home of a Texas businessman linked to convicted former Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher.

Rohde said no insurance mandate legislation has been seriously considered in the House since Peterson has chaired the committee, the clearinghouse for all insurance-related measures.

"I don't have a problem with people seeking political contributions. The problem I have is when it blurs the vision of these legislators," Rohde said. "Don't let it blur your leadership and what you were sent to do by the voters. He's not responding to voters any more."

Rohde said that not requiring health insurers to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autistic children will eventually place the burden of caring for them on taxpayers.

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Also here is another great site for some info..

www.okautism.org