Rep. Norton Says – she represents Minorities, Really – When?

As I said in previous blogs, the summer drama of MN Autism task force continues all because I asked the previous chair to add minority sharing of HRSA autism grant MDH was applying. Can you believe that? This whole drama is because I had the nerve to ask such inclusion and diversity. It is like walking on needles over there with so many of them.

At any rate, during the last meeting, Rep Norton said the most shocking statement that she “represents” many minority autism families. So, this got me thinking and I put some facts together to disprove such crazy, dilutional and wrong statement.

Fact One:

In 2010 session, Rep Norton introduces HF359 and asks the state legislatures mandate private insurance companies pay for autism therapy called ABA (applied behavior analysis). So, we hear about it and we testify in health finance committee in the house chaired by Rep Huntley. We ask if they are going to dictate and mandate companies they don’t even own to pay for autism therapy, can they also make sure DHS (the agency they fund along with CMS) pay for autism therapy (ABA) for low income children who they are actually responsible for. We fought this bias legislation and prevailed in HHS conference committee headed by Sen Berglin. And, Norton’s bill was taken out of the final HHS bill that Governor Pawlenty signed. 

Fact Two:

Rep Norton introduces the same language legislation of wanting to help upper/middle income autism children and nothing for low income autism families in 2011. She introduces HF204. Again we fight against yet another bias autism bill and HHS Policy Chair Rep Gottwalt tells Rep Norton that there are many issues with her bill. As a result, it does not get any hearings. 

Fact Three:

Again in 2012 session, (when does she ever give up on writing bias autism policies) Rep Norton introduces HF1071 with the same language, just another number. (at this point her autism legislation bills have more name/number changes than Rapper P.Diddy had). Again, Rep Gottwalt tells Norton the same-thing and her bill does not get out of health policy committee. (For those that might not understand the legislation system well – usually a bill must get through the policy committee then to finance, then to conference committee where it gets negotiated if it has a fiscal note. Then if it makes out of there, the governor can sign the whole bill or line veto specific bills). It is worth noting, in 2010 session -if Norton’s bias autism bill made it through HHS conference committee – Gov Pawlenty’s office promised us it would line veto. 

Fact Four: 

Again in 2013 session, Rep Norton introduces another bias bill only worse this time because it wants the Health and Human services budget to pay up to $25 million of ABA autism therapy for upper/middle income kids and cover them unlimited hours and unlimited age. By the same token, the low income autism children are told too bad so sad and nothing for you. Then she introduces the kitchen sink amendment in HHS finance committee whereby low income kids will only have ABA coverage up to age 7. I kid you not, this is when research states minority kids get diagnosed with autism. 

Well, needless to say – this energized us to the unth power. And – we ask, testify and fight against it again. Then DHS Commissioner and Gov Dayton introduce another bill for autism for low income kids for up to age 18 coverage and allocate around $12 Million. So, we ask simple question of why are wealthy kids getting $25 million and poor kids $12 Million – isn’t that DOUBLE STANDARD?

So, again we prevail and win whereby the language from DHS and Governor is adopted and NOTHING for Norton’s bill. Though – they get less than 20% of the private market which will cost the HHS budget zero. Huge thanks to Sen Lourey, Anne B, Jesson, Stacie and Lauren. 

Now, I am sorry – but if this is how Rep Norton represents low income autism families who are disproportionately minorities then I hate to see what happens when she does NOT represent them.

If actions are what we should judge on our policy makers then Rep Norton’s actions are nothing short of bias and belittling our communities.

To add more facts here – A Somali Doctor and Researcher from Mayo Clinic asked Rep Norton to help him with some Hepatits B research funding and guess what happened there – Nothing. She gave him the run around and bunch of empty words & promises to the point of where he moved from Rochester. How is that for representing minority communities. 

In my humble little opinion – not good representation at all by any measure of the word.

Vote wisely and please vote OUT Rep Norton and elect someone else who will represent you and your issues. 

Thanks!

Idil – Somali Autism Mom and Minority Advocate