USA Heroes Act News:
 Autism Speaks Lauds Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Introduction Of Senate Bill Expanding Military Insurance Coverage Of Autism Therapies
NEW YORK, NY (June 2, 2009) -- Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, today applauded Senator Kristen Gillibrand’s (D-NY) introduction of the Uniformed Services with Autism (USA) Heroes Act, a senate companion bill to H.R. 1600. The legislation would require expanded coverage by TRICARE -- the Department of Defense's health care program for members of the uniformed services and their families -- of medically necessary autism therapies for military dependents who have autism.
Current law limits TRICARE coverage of autism therapies, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, for dependents of active duty service members and places a $3,000 monthly cap on a child’s treatment program. The USA Heroes Act will remove the dollar cap and increase accessibility of ABA and other essential, medically necessary autism treatments by extending benefits to retirees.
H.R. 1600 was introduced by Representatives Joe Sestak (D-PA), Walter B. Jones (R-NC), and Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX).
“We commend Senator Gillibrand for her commitment to individuals with autism and their families, and for making expanded autism insurance coverage a legislative priority,” said Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks. “Families across the country are literally going broke trying to provide their children with the therapies they need and deserve. Now is the time for private and public insurers alike to end discrimination against children with autism and cover these critical services.”... Read more
(Pictured above: Autism Speaks Co-Founders Bob and Suzanne Wright with Senator Kristen Gillibrand)
Featured Headlines:
Autism Speaks Applauds Representatives Sestak, Jones, and Rodriguez for Introducing H.R. 1600 (April 30, 2009)
Summary of Uniformed Services with Autism (USA) Heroes Act:
H.R. 1600 - Sponsored by Representative Joe Sestak (PA-7), Representative Walter B. Jones (NC-3), and Representative Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23)
Senate companion bill - Sponsored by Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY)
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Ensures treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders are provided if a health care professional determines that the treatment is medically necessary, and include:
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Habilitative or rehabilitative care
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Pharmaceutical agents
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Psychiatric care
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Psychological care
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Speech therapy
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Occupational Therapy
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Physical Therapy
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Group Therapy, if necessary to develop, maintain, or restore skills
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Any other care or treatment determined to be medically necessary
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Ensures the use of applied behavioral analysis or other structured behavior programs may not be considered special education by TRICARE.
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Ensures beneficiaries under the age of 5 who have developmental delays and are at risk for Autism may not be denied access to treatment if treatment is medically necessary.
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Ensures authorized providers of applied behavior analysis or other structured behavior programs are licensed or certified by a state, the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, or other accredited national certification board.
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Ensures all employees or subcontractors of authorized providers are also certified and meet minimum qualification standards.
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Calls for updated provisions to be prescribed within 180 days of enactment.
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Bill History:
June 25, 2009: House passes H.R. 1600 as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act
June 2, 2009: Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) introduces the Senate companion bill, S. 1169. The bill is referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
April 27, 2009: H.R. 1600 is referred to the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel
March 18, 2009: H.R. 1600 is introduced by Representatives Sestak, Jones, and Rodriguez.
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The Uniformed Services with Autism (USA) Heroes Act will require coverage of medically necessary therapeutic services for military dependents that have children with autism.