Peyvast

This week, Congress will vote on an amendment to HR 5658, the Defense Authorization Act to improve autism services for military families. Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA) has introduced an amendment to increase the current cost-share program limit for dependant children of military personnel who have been diagnosed with autism from $2,500 to $5,000.

Military children with autism are not receiving adequate care and services, which adversely impacts the child’s future, the stress and mental health of the military family and ultimately, the morale, readiness and retention of the All-Volunteer force. The continuum of care afforded to military children diagnosed with autism is disjointed and compromised due to the frequent geographic moves and the lack of effective services available publicly and through existing TRICARE programs.

In the short term, this amendment would greatly improve the lives of the thousands of military children and families impacted by autism. In the long term, the Department of Defense (DOD) will serve as a model for other insurers and health plans to emulate. If DOD - at a time of war - can recognize the importance of funding prescribed autism treatment, it will send a powerful message for other state and federal lawmakers to follow.

At present, only 160 of 700 children, or 4.37%, receive at or near the maximum coverage level of $2,500. Assuming an average hourly therapy cost of $125, military children are receiving 1/5 the minimum recommended level of treatment. The children of our men and women in uniform deserve better - as do all families affected by autism.

Click here to contact your representative and urge him or her to support the amendment.

Thank you for your action on this important issue.

Autism Society of America