Autism Needs A Hero NOW!!!

Last week a bipartisan Senate Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2009 was introduced by Senators Feinstein (D-CA), Martinez (R-FL), Schumer (D-NY), and Durbin (D-IL). The Senate Amendment introduced was comparable to that introduced in the House last spring by Congressman Sestak (D-PA), and which passed overwhelmingly.

Unfortunately, Senate Amendment (5541-25-3001) comparable to Congressman Sestak’s did not go to vote. Out of hundreds of amendments, only 3 were voted upon, and the Senate version of the NDAA ’09 was passed this past Wednesday night. The Senate and House versions of the NDAA ’09 are currently in conference with committee staff.

We must act NOW on behalf of our children with autism. When this legislation is included in the NDAA ’09 and signed into law, it will set a federal precedent for treatment for all of our children with autism.

I ask you to please call and/or fax the below listed members of The Armed Services Committee. I have listed them by sub-committee and the ranking members first. At the end I have included a sample letter. Please feel free to use this. Any way that you can personalize it with your own family’s story makes it that much more effective.

As I said, the Senate and House versions of the NDAA ’09 are in conference, and the committee staff is working late.

Autism is impacting 1 in every 67 children and families. Autism impacts more and more children and families everyday. We can not wait for promises made during a campaign to be realized so that our children can receive treatment. Autism is not a bargaining chip. Autism Needs A Hero NOW!!!

Senate Armed Services Committee

Military Personnel Subcommittee

Levin – Chair MI Phone 202-224-6221 Fax 202-224-1388
McCain – Ranking Member AZ Phone 202-224-2235 Fax 202-228-2862
Nelson NE Phone 202-224-6551 Fax 202-228-0012
Graham SC Phone 202-224-5972 Fax 202-224-3808
Warner VA Phone 202-224-2023 Fax 202-224-6295
Lieberman CT Phone 202-224-4041 Fax 202-228-0341
Webb VA Phone 202-224-4024 Fax 202-228-6363
Reed RI Phone 202-224-4642 Fax 202-224-4680
Sessions AL Phone 202-224-4124 Fax 202-224-3149
Cornyn TX Phone 202-224-2934 Fax 202-224-5220
McCaskill MO Phone 202-224-6154 Fax 202-228-6326
Collins ME Phone 202-224-2523 Fax 202-224-2693
Chambliss GA Phone 202-224-3521 Fax 202-224-0103
Dole NC Phone 202-224-6342 Fax 202-224-1100

Military Readiness and Management Support

Akaka - Chair HI Phone 202-224-6361 Fax 202-224-2126
Thune - Ranking Member SD Phone 202-224-2321 Fax 202-228-5429
Byrd WV Phone 202-224-3954 Fax 202-228-0002
Bayh IN Phone 202-224-5623 Fax 202-228-1377
Clinton NY Phone 202-224-4451 Fax 202-228-0282
Pryor AR Phone 202-224-2353 Fax 202-228-0908
Inhofe OK Phone 202-224-4721 Fax 202-228-0380
Wicker MS Phone 202-224-6253 Fax 202-228-0378
Martinez FL Phone 202-224-3041 Fax 202-228-5171
Bill Nelson FL Phone 202-224-5274 Fax 202-228-2183
Kennedy MA Phone 202-224-5110 Fax 202-224-2417

House Armed Services Commitee

Military Personnel Subcommittee

Ike Skelton (D-MO) Phone 202-225-2876 Fax 202-225-2695
Duncan Hunter (R-CA) Phone 202-225-5672 Fax 202-225-0235
Susan Davis (D-CA) Phone 202-225-2040 Fax 202-225-2948
John McHugh (R-NY) Phone 202-225-4611 Fax 202-226-0621
Vic Snyder (D-AR) Phone 202-225-2506 Fax 202-225-5903
Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) Phone 202-225-2965 Fax 202-225-5859
Nancy Boyda (D-KS) Phone 202-225-6601 Fax 202-225-7986
Patrick Murphy (D-PA) Phone 202-225-4276 Fax202-225-9511
Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) Phone 202-225-5456 Fax 202-225-5822
Niki Tsongas (D-MA) Phone 202-225-3411 Fax 202-226-0771
John Kline (R-MN) Phone 202-225-2271 Fax 202-225-2595
Thelma Drake (R-VA) Phone 202-225-4215 Fax 202-225-4218
Walter Jones (R-NC) Phone 202-225-3415 Fax 202-225-3286
Joe Wilson (R-SC) Phone 202-225-2452 Fax 202-225-2455

Military Readiness and Management Subcommittee

Solomon Ortiz (D-TX) Phone 202-225-7742 Fax 202-226-1134
Randy Forbes (R-VA) Phone 202-225-6365 Fax 202-226-1170

Sample Letter

September 18, 2008

Re: Support for increased funding for autism treatment for military children

To the Honorable Members of the Armed Services Committee,

On behalf of the thousands of military parents who have children with autism, I am writing to ask for your leadership to increase funding for autism treatment for military children through FY09 NDAA.

I strongly support the Sestak amendment to HR5658 and the bi-partisan amendment offered by Senators Feinstein, Martinez, Schumer, and Durbin (amendment #5541 to S3001) to increase funding of autism treatment, specifically Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), for military children to $5,000 a month.

The effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) based intervention in autism has been well documented through 5 decades of research by using single-subject methodology and in controlled studies of comprehensive early intensive behavioral intervention programs in university and community settings. ABA works to develop and improve language and communication skills, social skills, daily-living skills, play and leisure skills, develop positive family relationships, and work to ameliorate harmful and interfering behaviors. It is imperative we provide children with autism access to effective treatments to improve their quality of life and ability to function independently in all aspects of life.

A child’s treatment plan should be based on individual need and consistent with best practices. The American Academy of Pediatrics and National Academy of Sciences recommend a minimum of 25 hours of ABA a week. Optimal results are seen with 35-40 hours a week. The $2,500 financial limit of the TRICARE ECHO program is not sufficient to meet minimum standards. Costs for these programs can exceed $5,000. Increasing funding for autism treatment marks great progress toward recognizing the importance of providing for effective intervention services and I strongly support these efforts.

During this time of persistent conflict and high operations, our military families are facing an extreme set of circumstances. Providing for effective medical care and family supports is essential to mission readiness, but more importantly, we have an ethical obligation to support our military families and provide the medically prescribed care they require. We owe our military service members and their families the very best quality of life we can offer. Our military men and women that deploy repeatedly to combat and serve this great nation with honor and integrity deserve nothing less.

I thank you for your support of our military children with autism. Your actions on behalf of our military children will help all families nationwide fighting for autism insurance reform across the country.

Sincerely,
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