A request for Californians

Today we were informed of a bill that is trying to be passed in California that affects children born with craniofacial issues.  Please read the following email that was forwarded to us by a good friend.

CSPS has sponsored legislation (SB 1634) this year to require health plans to cover orthodontic care for cleft and craniofacial anomaly children. Many parents are burdened by the expense of the complex orthodontic care that these children require. Some kids never get the care they need as their parents cannot afford it. We are only asking the health plans to step up to the plate and provide what MediCal and CCS already cover. 

As this bill is now enrolled, we encourage you to please take the time use the letter below, print it on your letterhead, and mail it off to the Governor. If you have any patients with clefts, ask them to write a letter as well. The Department of Managed Care has recommended a VETO of this bill, since it is an "insurance mandate". We need all the support we can muster, so I am asking you PLEASE send off this letter TODAY and please email cpahl@earthlink.net or fax (510-243-1663) a copy of your letter to the CSPS Executive office.

Our patients deserve it.

Thanks so much,

Debra Johnson, MD
President, CSPS

I have not found if this same issue is present in Texas, but it doesn't really matter to me.  Knowing that our child is going to need surgeries throughout it's life is enough to make me want to support a bill like this if it will help others in our situation.  If you are willing to send this letter please let me know and I will forward it to you and all you have to do is sign your name.