Senator Dan Moody

Bobby Rowan Adocacy Award

This award recognizes an elected official whose advocacy efforts have resulted in significant demonstrable benefits for Georgians living with developmental disabilities, and have been outstanding in nature.

Over the years, Senator Dan Moody (R-Alpharetta), a good friend to AADD, has worked diligently to affect legislation that supports people with developmental disabilities. Specifically, during this session he showed strong leadership and commitment by sponsoring the passage of SB 507 to ensure that children with disabilities receive the medically necessary therapy services to which they are entitled under the Medicaid Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Program (EPSDT) and that categorically needy and medically fragile children have available to them the same scope, duration, and amount of services.

It is also the intent of this bill to simplify the process and paperwork by which occupational, speech, and physical therapy services are applied for and received by eligible recipients.  This bill also addresses the problem of service denials based on protocols and insurance standards that are not consistent with federal standards for “medically necessary services.”  Under SB 507, a child’s condition does not have to improve in order to receive treatment.  
It is a testament to Senator Moody's skills and persistence as a legislator that, although the original bill was vetoed, he was able to obtain a successful compromise by all parties.  Because of Senator Moody’s work, the bill provides for changes that will help children with disabilities more rapidly receive the treatment they need and deserve. 

Senator Dan Moody
Georgia State Senator