Washington, DC (September 18, 2008) - Washington, D.C.,– Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) and Congressman Jeff Miller (R-FL) introduced legislation today, the “Military Family Autism Equality Act,” which provides retired military families with autistic children the same health care benefit as families of active duty service members with children suffering from autism.
“This bipartisan bill to extend needed medical coverage for children of military retirees with autism is long overdue, and I’m pleased Congressman Moran and I were able to address this issue together,” stated Rep. Jeff Miller. Autism is an insidious disorder inflicted upon our children, and we should live up to our obligation to serve the children of those who have served our nation.”
“Caring for an autistic child is expensive,” said Rep. Jim Moran. Military families already stretched thin by the high costs associated with the disease and long deployments overseas are often left with a choice no parent wants to face: provide expensive treatments for their child or keep their family clothed and fed. The ‘Military Family Autism Equality Act’ would eliminate that painful decision, making autism care available for all military families, active or retired.”
Active duty service members with an autistic child have access to a benefit through TRICARE that provides $2500 a month (a max of $30,000/year) for Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a proven treatment for the symptoms of Autism. Unfortunately, the day an active duty soldier retires from the military, their dependents lose access to the ABA health benefit. This occurs whether the retirement is voluntary or a forced retirement at the end of their career obligations.
The Moran-Miller bipartisan “Military Family Autism Equality Act” would extend this autism benefit to all military families, whether active or retired.
With the Department of Defense estimating 8,784 retirees with dependents diagnosed with autism or an autism spectral disorder (ASD), its clear this is a serious issue facing a growing number of our veterans and their families.
According to a February 2007 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 150 children under the age of eight have autism or an ASD such as Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
“All those affected by autism should be able to receive appropriate, medically necessary care,” said Lee Grossman, ASA President and CEO. “The Autism Society of America strongly supports this legislation, which would provide quality care to families that have made tremendous sacrifices for our country.”
The cost savings from autism treatment are clear. A Harvard School of Public Health report found that without effective intervention, approximately 90% of individuals with ASD require lifelong care costing an estimated $3.2 million over a child’s lifetime. ABA therapy has been shown to be effective in reducing this figure to less than 50% and reducing the costs of lifelong care by two-thirds.
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