Greg_Groogan's Blog

They say he committed to sign it, but now backers of HB1919 say Governor Rick Perry is sending out indications he may destroy with his veto pen the biggest step forward for Texas kids with Autism in years.

HB1919 as passed by the legislature lays the foundation for forcing reluctant health insurance companies to cover a whole range of therapies advocates contend are critical for kids with autism, especially those in the critical brain development years between ages two and five.

Access to these therapies - the experts contend - could spell the difference between a young person developing into an independent, employed adult or continuing a steady spiral into life-long dependence at a multi-million dollar eventual cost to taxpayers.

So - Governor Rick Perry has a fairly simple choice - either become a hero to the financially strapped families of the thousands of kids challenged by autism ....or succumb to the influence and arguements of those forces looking to minimize the services available to these incredibly vulnerable young people.

Good or Greed - It may just be that simple.