Pathways in Autism is a firm supporter of this legislation. This is legislation that has been introduced to make changes to Tricare to remove limits on coverage amount of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as well as provide coverage for the autistic dependents of military retirees.
Please check out details of the act here and to read about this military parent and advocates fantastic efforts to rally awareness and support around this bill.
Although it is certainly a challenging time to introduce legislation that would increase Tricare expenses in the short term when everything that is currently being discussed in our federal government as well as the DoD is where cuts can be made. The argument can truly be made that increase levels of benefits (which would provide greater amounts of scientifically-proven methods of treatment like ABA_ for treatment of autism early in the life development cycle will decrease the long-term need for similar costly benefits in the latter years of the life development cycle. This is, ultimately, a long-term cost-savings initiative. Click here to see how this is actively playing out in the private sector in Michigan (a former state we live in!).
There is much discussion about decreases in military pay, retirement benefits and cutting many benefits across the board. The lifetime sacrifices that military service members make for their country, especially those with the immense extra burden in life with having to care for a child with autism is something that cannot be ignored.
Sometimes the different between ordinary and extraordinary is just a little “extra”. This bill, if voted into law, would provide just that extra push for those currently receiving a portion of adequate care and for those retirees’ dependents who may in fact be going with out any treatment at all.
Please write your federal representatives to encourage their support at this crucial time.
In Advocacy,
Mike
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Once again, Mike – THANK YOU. Spreading the word about CMKAA is our best chance at watching it come to life!
Hooah!
Rachel
Okay, I didn’t read it with a fine eye, (the Michigan link in this post) but I found it interesting for BCBS to say “as far as we know they are the only ones who cover ABA.. in MI” I get so mad about such ridiculous statements. First of all there are other companies( I believe Target offers ABA for their employees) I heard this thru the grape vine and dont know if it is BCBS. Tricare is in MI they offer it. And if Michigan was the only state that did or allowed XYZ treatment it doesn’t make it wrong or right.
The biggest issue I think is why was AUTISM excluded in the first place from coverage. The reason was, it didn’t exist for the most part, it was previously defined as mental illness(not typically covered) and it was thought not to be treatable. since NONE of those conditions are actually true anymore, it really shouldn’t be excluded in the first place. Not excluding a condition is hardly considered a mandate. It seems ridiculous to cover procedures and treatments of disease and illness that despite treatment the person will die in 6 months in stead of 7months. yet these companies do that.
I also dont think BCBS can call themselves proactive in being the only MI provider providing coverage for autism ,when the coverage actually came about from getting sued and losing.
Finally Multiple insurance companies cover autism related treatments in multiple states and have not gone bankrupt.