Posted by: Mrs. Sergeant Major | December 3, 2011

One-Click Support of CMKAA

One click.*

Find your Member of the United States House of Representatives. 

Tell them to support CMKAA. 

Here’s a sample email you can copy and paste:

“I am requesting [add your Rep's name here]‘s support of H.R. 2288 – Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act (CMKAA).

Tens of thousands of our military dependent children are living with autism. One in eighty-eight children of active duty servicemembers are affected and less than ten percent of those dependents are getting the autism therapies they need and are entitled to.

Currently, TRICARE military insurance segregates proven autism therapies such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) into a separate arm of care called the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) and places a dollar cap on ABA – essentially limiting the number of hours per week to less than half what is typically recommended for a young child newly diagnosed.  ECHO enrollment is secondary to completing the application process for the Exceptional Family Members Program (EFMP) – another barrier to care.  Often precious months to years are lost navigating through these processes, when proven therapies are shown to have greater success at the earliest possible intervention.

The Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act eliminates the dollar cap on ABA while also removing barriers to care by providing ABA under the umbrella of TRICARE Standard care.  It also extends these vital services to the dependents of retirees who have made a career commitment to our nation’s freedom and security.

I support the Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act because [add your own personal comments here].

Thank you,

[Your Name, Address, Phone, Email]“

It’s so easy…

It’s so important.

It would be pretty spectacular if these kinds of things just magically fixed themselves, but they do not.

It would be pretty amazing if military families could benefit from the trend of legislative success in mandating autism coverage across the country, but they do not.

Right now more than 30,000 children of our bravest men and women are struggling with autism.

30,000 military children.

Our soldiers are fighting to protect our freedoms and to secure the futures of all of our children.  It is time to thank them and make a difference.  It is time to honor our troops sincerely and actually take a few moments to serve those who dedicate their lives to serving us.

A few moments of your time.

>One click<

and you are on your way to thanking a soldier and their family for all they do.

From a military family proud to serve, we thank you.

- Command Sergeant Major William W. Kenyon and Mrs. Rachel E. Kenyon

*If you are a military member or spouse and you are currently receiving mail through an APO/AE address – YOU MUST ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE AND MAILING ADDRESS WHERE YOU LAST REGISTERED TO VOTE.

Posted by: Mrs. Sergeant Major | January 24, 2012

An Open Letter of Invitation to Our 112th Congress

Dear Senators and Representatives

of the 112th Session of the United States Congress,

Our proud United States Military request your attendance at a Congressional briefing on the impact autism has on our families.  Tens of thousands of our military children have autism and the very nature of military life creates real barriers to care.

Congressional Briefing on the Impact of Autism on Military Families

Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 11:30a

Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 203

Washington, DC

Our families are proud to serve.  Our ability to continue to do so in the face of autism is compromised.  The readiness of our troops and the well-being of our families willing to support their soldiers must remain the top priorities.

Please join us to learn more about autism and the challenges it brings to those of us who serve.  Come and see the resilience and dedication our military families share regardless of what battle is brought before us.

Let us work together to ensure that the men and women who sacrifice everything they have to protect our freedoms can secure the futures and freedoms of their own children as well.

Autism is a complex neurological disorder, and is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the United States.  It affects one in every eighty-eight active duty military dependents. 

• In treatment of autism, early intervention and intensive behavioral therapy, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), are imperative to success.

• Currently TRICARE segregates ABA treatment into the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO).  ECHO treatment is subject to a financial cap of $36,000 per year, which pays for an average of 11 hours of ABA therapy per week.  The American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Navy and Army Surgeons General recommend a minimum of 25-40 hours per week of ABA therapy.

• Coverage of ABA and other behavioral health treatments in the civilian sector exceed that of TRICARE.  Currently, 29 states have passed laws which require private insurers to cover autism-related therapies.  Unfortunately both state and federal laws such as this do not extend to TRICARE and fail the military child with autism.

Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act (H.R. 2288) will amend TRICARE policy to provide ABA and other intensive behavioral intervention services in line with 25-40 hours per week as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Navy and Army Surgeons General.

• Making ABA therapy a basic entitlement under TRICARE Standard for eligible dependents (both active duty and retiree) is essential to supporting military families.  Wounded Warriors that are medically retired lose all autism coverage for their children.

• The assurance of family care is critical for mission readiness.

• Our military families deserve the quality of care that is equal to their heroic service and sacrifice in defense of our Nation, our people, and our freedom.

We hope to see you there.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Rachel Kenyon,

Wife to Command Sergeant Major William Kenyon, 1BN 102IN(MTN), CTARNG

Posted by: Mrs. Sergeant Major | June 22, 2011

Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act

112TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION

H.R. 2288

 

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for certain treatment

of autism under TRICARE. 

 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut (for himself, Mr. JONES, and Mr. DOYLE)

introduced the following bill;

which was referred to the Committee on June 23, 2011.

 

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for certain

treatment of autism under TRICARE. 

 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 

2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Caring for Military 

5 Kids with Autism Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. CERTAIN TREATMENT OF AUTISM UNDER TRICARE. 

7 Section 1077 of title 10, United States Code, is 

8 amended by adding at the end the following new sub 

9 section: 

1 ‘‘(g)(1) In providing health care under subsection (a), 

2 the treatment of autism spectrum disorders shall include 

3 behavioral health treatment, including applied behavior 

4 analysis, when prescribed by a physician. 

5 ‘‘(2) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary 

6 shall ensure that— 

7 ‘‘(A) except as provided by subparagraph (B), 

8 a person who is authorized to provide behavioral 

9 health treatment is licensed or certified by a State 

10 or accredited national certification board; and 

11 ‘‘(B) if applied behavior analysis or other be 

12 havioral health treatment is provided by an employee 

13 or contractor of a person described in subparagraph 

14 (A), the employee or contractor shall meet minimum 

15 qualifications, training, and supervision require 

16 ments as set forth by the Secretary.’’ 

 

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