Military Families Lose Health Care Benefits for Autistic Children at Retirement

Washington, D.C., September 17th – 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.

“Caring for an autistic child is expensive,” said Rep. Moran.  Military families already stretched thin by the high costs associated with the disorder 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.”

Rep. Jeff Miller stated, “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.  Autism is an insidious disease inflicted upon our children and we should live up to our obligation to serve the children of those who have served our nation.”

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 there are 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.”

Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan, president of the 370,000-member Military Officers Association of America, said, “Military retirees have chosen to commit their careers and their lives to protect and defend our country; surely we as a society can commit to give their children the care they need to have a higher quality of life. This bipartisan effort by Congressmen Moran and Miller shows how our military children and retirees can benefit when politics are put aside and the needs of the people are put first.”

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.

Moran concluded, “Our soldiers risk their lives on the battlefield in service to their country. It is incumbent upon us to care for them and their families when they return home. For retired military families with an autistic child, this benefit is a lifeline for their child’s future and their families’ financial security.”

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