With your help, we achieved a victory on Election Day of 82.4% - 17.6%!

Thank you to all of those who knocked on doors, made phone calls, put up yard signs, and came out in the blistering heat to vote on August 5th.  I appreciate your support, and I look forward to returning to Jefferson City to work on your behalf!

by Rachel Storch

As I knock on doors in the 64^th district, families often share with me the struggles they deal with on a day-to-day basis.  Increasingly, I am hearing from constituents that autism, the effect it has on families, and the costs associated with treatment are becoming a prominent concern. 

One of the major issues facing families with an autistic child is finding affordable treatment.  I believe that private insurance companies should be required to provide coverage for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.  Many Missouri families experience difficulty in finding an insurance company to provide coverage for the high costs of treating autism.  In contrast, fourteen other states currently mandate coverage. 

This year, Representative Sam Page filed legislation in Missouri that would have required insurance companies to cover children with autism spectrum disorder through the age of 21.   Unfortunately, this legislation did not pass, but I will continue to fight for its passage in the next legislative session.

 One of my constituents, Penny Brennell, has received national recognition for her advocacy work on autism.  Each year, Penny brings students with autism to the Missouri legislature to shadow legislators.  I have been proud to have an autistic student shadow me for the last several years.  This is part of a continuing effort to raise awareness about the autism spectrum.

FACTS ABOUT AUTISM

• Prevalence of autism is 1 in 150 American children
• A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
• Symptoms generally start to appear within the first three years of life
• Early intervention can greatly improve a child's development
• 1.5 million Americans are living with the effects of autism spectrum disorder
• Autism occurs in every racial, ethnic, and socio-economic group, and is four times more likely to occur in boys than in girls
• Autism costs the nation over $35 billion a year, a figure that is expected to increase significantly over the next decade.
• It can cost millions of dollars to take care of an autistic individual over his or her lifetime
• Costs of life long care could be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention

Representative Storch is proud to announce the addition of three more key endorsements for her candidacy of District 64 State Representative.

I am proud to be endorsed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. As the Ranking Democrat on the Appropriations for Transportation and Economic Development Committee, I will continue to fight for good-paying jobs for hardworking Missouri families.

Please watch my new ad on the Economy!

 

As a legislator, one of my most important tasks is to advocate for those who may not be able to speak for themselves.  As the daughter of a pediatric infectious disease specialist who has worked at St. Louis Children's Hospital for more than 30 years, Dr. Gregory Storch, I have always been especially attuned to issues affecting children.  I have been privileged to work with organizations such as Nurses for Newborns, Saint Louis Crisis Nursery, Voices for Children, the Children's Advocacy Centers, and the Children's Trust Fund to fight child abuse and neglect. 

State audits conducted in 2002 and 2008 have called for serious changes to the Missouri laws and regulations that govern daycare centers.  These calls for change have gone unheeded.  After learning of a recent terrible tragedy that happened in an unlicensed facility and resulted in the death of a baby, I intend to file a package of reforms related to Missouri daycare facilities.  To see a recent article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, please click here:

"Dear Representative Storch:

This year's legislative sessions in Missouri and Illinois yielded some notable economic development gains for the St. Louis region.  Important steps were taken to upgrade the region's levees, improve job-recruitment tools, and expand plant and life sciences research.  These successes continue to build on previous advances that have strengthened the bi-state regional economy and business community.    

The RCGA believes your strong leadership on behalf of the region deserves special recognition, and so we would like to honor you with our Lewis and Clark Statesman Award."

Sincerely,

C.K. "Chip" Casteel, Jr.
Senior Vice President - Public Policy
St. Louis RCGA


The Awards Presentation will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel on August 18.

This video features Joe Edwards (Delmar Loop developer), Kim Tucci (President of the Pasta House, John Corbett (24th Ward Committeeman), and Edna Campbell (Teacher and 17th Ward Resident) describing the reasons they support Rachel Storch.  Each person reflects on Storch's dedication and character which makes her such and oustanding representative for District 64.  Click the link below for extended interviews of Joe Edwards, Kim Tucci and John Corbett.

State Representative Rachel Storch has recently gained the support of several wards in her re-election campaign.