Bill's Proponents Not Allowed To Speak

By Mick Hinton/Tulsa World ~ Parents crowded into a committee meeting Wednesday to express their support for "Nick's Law," which would force insurance companies to provide health coverage for autistic children. But no one was allowed to speak.

The parents blamed Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow, chairman of the House Economic Development and Financial Services Committee, for blocking the legislation from being heard.

Peterson has been an outspoken critic of the legislation because he said it would raise the insurance premiums of all policy holders at a time when rising medical costs are the No. 1 concern of Oklahomans.

Democratic members of the committee vocally protested when a Republican member made a motion that effectively cut off debate on adding an amendment to provide health coverage for autism to another bill.

"It was orchestrated and I'm ashamed and, more importantly, the Republicans should be embarrassed for running a disgusting meeting," said Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City.

Read the entire story at www.tulsaworld.com.

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