OPPORTUNITY!!! What Questions Would You Ask The Presidential Candidate’s?
DEADLINE For Comments: Tuesday, September, 30, 2008! The site is not specific as to what time the comments close, so please ACT NOW!
What will Senator McCain and Senator Obama, if elected President, do about the autism epidemic, the financial impact the continued lack of medically necessary treatment for 1 in every 67 children with autism will have on our country long term, better care for our adult children with autism already in residential care, and the research that still needs to be done regarding causation; specifically vaccines, the known neurotoxin’s that vaccine’s contain, and vaccine safety?
As always, please be polite and professional. You can submit your question HERE. If you're not a "my space user" click continue as a guest. It's pretty simple :) If you encounter an issue, the addy is http://www.myspace.com/mydebates
What a powerful day! September 24, 2008 was a day to go down in the history books as far as I'm concerned!
Autism Salutes Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) for hosting this special briefing of Congress on the Autism-Vaccine debate. Representative Maloney, thank you for your continued efforts to help our children, and your continued quest in finding the truth!
Stand at attention gentlemen! Your presentation's of the truth on the Autism-Vaccine debate to our Members of Congress were exactly that... THE TRUTH! And they were remarkable!!! You, gentlemen... simple ROCK!!!! And the entire Autism community is eternally grateful to you!
Autism One Radio broadcast the special briefing. If it wasn't for Autism One Radio, we wouldn't have been able to hear David and Mark speak live. Curt, thank you for your committment to bringing us Autism One Radio! (Scroll to the Site Index (bottom left) and click on "Help/Download Shows" and it's on the calendar)
I've listed here for you, those in attendance who are Armed Services Committee Members (Personnel or Readiness Subcommittee's). Those with an * are also on the Autism Caucus. Comments follow some.
From the House:
Rep. John McHugh (R-CA)* Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) Rep. John Kline (R-MN)* ("They really want to be part of this") Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA)* ("We are ALL very interested in this issue") Rep. John Murtha (D-PA)* *** Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MS)* ("Congressman Pickering is passionate about this issue") Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)* ("Will attend in person or send a staff person") Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA)*
***Congressman Pickering signed Congressman Issa's letter which is in the documents section off to the left. He is not on the Armed Services Committee.
From the Senate:
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
For the entire list of who attended, hop over to Age of Autism. Age of Autism simply ROCKS!!! Thank you for your dedication to bringing us "the news"!
And last, but certainly not least, Autism Salutes all the Mother and Father Warriors who faxed and made phone calls to hundreds of Representative's and Senator's offices to inform them of this extremely important briefing and ask for a committment of their attendance.
This briefing was a huge success because of everyone's deep love for our children, and our solid committment to not allow this to happen to another generation of children.
The Autism Society of America has made it easy for you to support the bipartisan Bill introduced last week by Congressman Moran and Congressman Miller that will provide treatment coverage for our children with autism whose parents are retired military members.
All of our children with autism need access and coverage of medically necessary treatment. Those who have faithfully served our country are deserving of the same coverage available to active duty members and their families.
Please show your support!!!
You can contact your Representative's and Senator's in support of this extremely important Bill HERE.
Autism Society of America! Autism Salutes, Salutes YOU!
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
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.
Rep. Maloney To Host Autism Vaccine Briefing PLEASE CONTACT YOUR US SENATORS (HERE) AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS (HERE) AND URGE THEM TO ATTEND OR SEND A STAFF MEMBER TO THIS IMPORTANT AUTISM-VACCINE BRIEFING ON CAPITOL HILL
Wednesday, September 24 at 2:00 PM 210 Cannon House Office Building Independence Avenue, Washington, DC.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is hosting a special briefing for Members of Congress and their Staff to update them on recent developments in the vaccine-autism debate.
David Kirby, investigative journalist and author of The New York Times bestseller Evidence of Harm, Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic – A Medical Controversy, will inform Members and their staff about developments in this debate from science, public policy, politics and law. Mr. Kirby will be joined Mark Blaxill, Director of the Coalition for SAFE MINDS.
Among the issues to be discussed are:
● A recent Vaccine Court case in which the federal government conceded that vaccines induced autism in one girl with an underlying mitochondrial dysfunction.
● Possible links between mitochondrial dysfunction and autistic regression, and information on several ASD children with mitochondrial issues;
● State-of-the-art research underway at top universities on the connection between environmental toxins, mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, glutathione depletion, neuro-inflammation and autistic encephalopathy; ● Research agendas from the CDC and NIH that include investigations into links between vaccines and neuro-immune disorders
● The scope and implications of the autism epidemic. How scientific politics is preventing policy from catching up to the problem.
● Ongoing research into connections between mercury exposure and autism. Why most of what is reported is inaccurate.
● Reframing concerns over the vaccine program: It’s not a question of being pro or con vaccines, but rather a question of safety management.
We are asking all of our members to contact their elected representatives and urge them to attend.
I received an email today from my dear friend Kim who is the Managing Editor of Age of Autism. So I sit here writing after my kids are in bed. Again… It’s all good.
David Kirby reported about the military and vaccines and Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s (NY-D) effort to get to the TRUTH about vaccines and what our military members receive.
Some very close friends of mine had their website hacked today. You know who I’m talking about and they are now offline. They told the TRUTH. We ALL have told the TRUTH. Will this happen to us too?
With ALL that is going on I sense an unscrupulous agenda and tremendous climate of fear from our government officials. Oh yeh! After everything else that happened today (more on that later)… there is much that THEY fear. They fear the TRUTH!
“The miser, starving his brother’s body, starves also his own soul, and at death shall creep out of his great estate of injustice, poor and naked and miserable.” Theodore Parker
I think I hear a black helo flying over my “house” again. I wonder how long our children and our military members have been guinea pigs for our country??? I actually know the answer. FOR TOO LONG!!!
Those of you who have fear, well…. I suggest you run for your lives.
Those who DO NOT have fear, you might want to check out these links!!!!
Rep. Carolyn Maloney’s letter There may be problems with the link - if there are let me know. There have been problems with the link but you should be able to access it on Age of Autism HERE and scroll in the column and you'll see AoA's HERE for it!
In my mind I once again see thousands of our United States uniformed men and women, their spouses, and children saluting, although this salute is much different; these uniformed men and women have children with autism and they are retired from the United States Armed Forces!
Our retired military members who served our great nation do not even have the option of enrolling their child (ren), in the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) program. With retirement, the hope that their child with autism might be able to receive treatment simply vanishes into thin air. The message sent? After your honorable service to our country; your child with autism is no longer worthy of the benefits available to active duty military dependents with autism.
That message and reality is, quite frankly, unconscionable.
“Look at the facts of the world. You see a continual and progressive triumph of the right. I do not pretend to understand the moral of the universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but a little ways. I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice. Things refuse to be mismanaged long.” Theodore Parker
Congressman Moran and Congressman Miller possess conscience, and understand the true meaning of Democracy. In a bi-partisan and truly democratic action, Congressman Moran and Congressman Miller are introducing a Bill (NOT an amendment – A BILL!), which will open the doors for our military retiree’s dependent children with autism, to either begin or continue to receive medically necessary treatment!
Our men and women who have answered the call to duty, and served this great nation of ours, should not have to choose between retirement and beginning or continued medically necessary treatment for their children with autism.
Congressman Moran! Congressman Miller! If you happen to read this, please know that the introduction of your Bill “will leave a trail” (thanks Uncle Ralph) towards justice for ALL children and their families who live with autism.
The autism community is doing the “happy dance” again!
There will be a press conference on Wednesday morning on the steps of the Capitol! Details of the Press Conference are below... Stay tuned… You can read the Bill and request for co-sponsors over on the left.
Moran-Miller Press Conference Announcing Legislation Supporting Military Children with Autism When: Wednesday, September 17th 10:00AM to 10:30 AM
Where: U.S. Capitol Room HC-7
Who: Congressmen Jim Moran (D-VA), Jeff Miller (R-FL), several military families with autistic children who will share their stories, and representatives from the Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, and the Military Officers Association of America.
What: Representatives Moran and Miller to hold a press conference unveiling their bipartisan legislation geared towards providing specialized early development care for autistic children of military families.
TRICARE Management Activity Desperately Needs A New Name!
I began seeing red at roughly 3:00 pm on the afternoon of Monday, August25, 2008. This is a new way of seeing red for me. I have been in a serious funk since then, and when I am in this kind of funk; my typical positive, good natured and humorous self goes on a far away vacation. Damn… I wish I could join myself on my vacation because I sure as heck could use one! The only way out of this funk is to share the truth, and in doing so, hopefully be giving voice to countless others to speak their truth as well.
When I began seeing red on Monday, I knew right then and there that I would end up here, sitting at my desk late at night after my children were in bed, writing about this. I had some initial concerns that I might be viewed as whining or complaining. There are two philosophies I strongly believe in; timing is everything and nothing is coincidental. Sure as timing would have it because nothing is coincidental, I received an email tonight from someone at a very prominent military publication questioning if more military members and spouses are not speaking up about the travesty that our military healthcare system is because they might be viewed as whining and complaining. Bingo! So here I sit typing away.
Please humor me while I describe my Monday to you. We (yes… all six of us) live in a two story 1,300 square foot rental. Our linoleum needed to be replaced, as seams were lifting and torn in one spot. We had to rearrange our home for the day… in our living room; eight foot couch (the chairs and antique bureau went in the garage), nine foot across entertainment center with bookshelves, and other shelving, and the following “items” which are typically in our kitchen went to the living room for a vacation… treadmill, antique secretary, the fridge, computer armoire (huge), and our front loading washer and dryer. The stove and our antique dining room table (my grandparent’s first purchase after marriage – fully extended 9x 4 feet) and all the chairs; yep they went on vacation to the back patio for the day! The living room was already “living enough”.
So… all was fine. Granted there were a few tough moments, but we Warner’s made do and made jokes as always! It was later that afternoon when all hell broke loose and I began seeing red. You see, I had made an appointment to take Isaac (our oldest) to see Eva (our family Nurse Practitioner) to get the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) paperwork filled out in order to enroll him in TRICARE’s Extended Care Health Option (ECHO program, so he can begin receiving ABA. We never bothered to enroll Isaac in either program because of the inability to access ABA for Nathan once he was enrolled in both programs.
Nathan began ABA in July after waiting for over two years. Nathan started receiving ABA services thanks to MY Big Mouth; AKA - networking and advocacy in our community. My first contact with Nathan’s current BCBA was in early April, and she was not yet signed up with TRICARE. Nathan has responded beautifully to ABA, and while we know that is not the end all be all, we want Isaac to benefit from ABA as well.
Back to seeing RED! I love Eva. The kids love Eva. Angie who is Eva’s Medical Assistant is very efficient, full of kindness, and she is just plain great at what she does. After checking Isaac over and looking at a couple observations done recently by therapists in our home, Eva was filling out the EFMP paperwork for Isaac. At the end of our visit, Eva handed me an envelope, and I am still devastated. And still seeing red… red, red, RED!
The envelope… I told her that I “think I know what this is”… one of those surreal moments. She is letting us go because of TRICARE’s re-imbursement rates. She is letting all of her 100 plus, TRICARE patients go. She is not renewing her TRICARE contract so she can keep her doors open. I am seeing RED all over again just thinking about it! Eva told me that TRICARE’s typical re-imbursement rate is ONE THIRD of what civilian insurance re-imbursement rates are… Nice… Priceless for TRICARE.
I did check this out, given my medical background and “prowess”. TRICARE’s re-imbursement rate is comparable to that of Medicare and Medicaid. Our military members and dependents receive care and services that is comparable to that which our elderly do if they are dependent upon Medicare. Our military members and their dependents also receive care and services which are comparable to that of welfare. Welfare… and we’ve heard that before and heard that said through dialogue with other members practitioners via the members.
The United States of America should be ashamed of the way we provide healthcare benefits to our children with autism, to our military members and their families (regardless of whether there is a disability or not), our military retiree’s, and our elderly.
Which leads me to, of course, autism and the email I received from the reporter questioning if more members are not speaking up regarding TRICARE because they don’t want to be viewed as “complaining”. There is a difference between complaining to complain, and complaining and offering solutions. That is what we military spouses and parents who complain do; we offer solutions. And MAN! Have we offered solutions, again and again and again. Our solutions have fallen on deaf ears, and the deaf ears of one doctor in particular, who has an ethical and moral obligation and the authority to put our solutions into action.
I would like to introduce you to Dr. (Major General) Elder Granger. Dr. Granger happens to be the Deputy Director for TRICARE Management Activity. You can read his bio HERE. One of the things that struck me was upon reading Dr. Granger’s bio, was the Fellowship he received from the Henry KAISER Medical Fellowship for Medical Excellence and Leadership upon graduation from the Arkansas School of Medicine in 1980.
As a mom who no longer has a provider for her children or herself I was put in a really tough position of attempting to locate a provider who would support both my husband’s and my decision to no longer vaccinate our children. Well how do you start that conversation… Are you accepting TRICARE for the next year? Are you willing to take four children into your practice and support our family’s decision to not currently vaccinate according to the “recommended” schedule and as we see appropriate? And are you experienced with this issue and that issue related to autism??? Oh forget it! I will have to take YOU and educate you. I am AGAIN starting from scratch for my children’s medical care.
Yes… that’s me folks “coming out of the closet” here on Autism Salutes talking about autism, and vaccines, treatment and insurance. It’s not just me… it’s my husband, my family, my husband’s family, and the families of an entire generation of children. When we have 1 in 67 children in the military with autism, and 1 in 67 in the civilian population with autism, I want to scream at the top of my lungs… HOUSTON We Have A PROBLEM! I knew when I started Autism Salutes this day would come and quite honestly I was getting tired of waiting for it. The adage of a time and a place for everything with me, I was waiting for a sign. With everything that has happened over the past few weeks, well… I took that as my sign.
David Kirby is the author of “Evidence of Harm”. This was one of the first five books I read after Nathan was diagnosed with autism. The sign??? David Kirby addressed the extremely concerning issue of how many of our military members are being permanently damaged and disabled by vaccines in an article he wrote for the Huffington Post, and you can read that HERE. I knew it was time. As if that wasn’t enough, within the next 24 hours after release of David’s Huff Po article, THIS went up on Age of Autism (the world’s only minute by minute online newspaper that is “all things autism”). David recommended that people visit Charlie in Wonderland, to read THIS. Jeanne just happens to be a very good friend of mine. At this point I was laughing and felt like walking into my backyard and hollering to the sky, “OK God! I GET it! I know it’s time!”
The importance of Dr. Granger’s BIO information in the big picture… I am quite sure that those of us who have done our research, know that KAISER is all to happy participating in vaccine “trials” and “studies”. Funny thing… when you google the Fellowship that Dr. Granger received for Medical Excellence and Leadership from the Henry Kaiser Medical Fellowship, Dr. Granger’s name is the only one that pops up. Also worth noting is the time frame… 1980.
Thank you Dr. Granger, for it is due to YOUR leadership of “a staff of 1,800 in planning, budgeting, and executing an $18 Billion Defense Health Program and… [Ensuring]…the effective and efficient provision of high-quality, accessible healthcare for 9.2 Million Uniformed Service members, their families, retirees and others located worldwide. Eva Nystrom met and exceeded those qualifications as a Nurse Practitioner, in fact she was better than any “doctor” I’ve met in this area and we’ve been here for almost 10 years; yet we are begging for healthcare because of your “leadership”, Dr. Granger.
Dr. (Major General) Granger has a seeming panache for making policy such as the ECHO program and Demo program look good on paper, but not in reality. You may want to read an article HERE. Then, because Dr. Granger states in this article (you should read it, if you haven’t already), “We didn’t want to give anybody the impression that we wanted to… sift out the bad and only tell the good. With that statement Dr. Granger is referring to a poll done by Zogby International, a polling agency. We gave Zogby the authority to put it out there – the good, the bad, and the ugly”. I do apologize, but Dr. Granger’s comments are a bit too… say 1966 circa, for someone who is the “authority” for TRICARE in 2008. I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for a man in a “leadership” position to be quoting Clint Eastwood to make his point. Plain and simple.
I did a little hunting on the net because the only links in the article were to Dr. Granger’s bio, and the military health system blog. I found the Zogby poll… you can read it HERE. Dr. Granger used the top statistic from this poll (77%) and mentioned nothing else. I think you should look at the poll results, and while doing so I recommend you look at not only the margin of error (+/- 4.8%) which is rather large, but the COOP4 as well. You can view the methodology and COOP 4 HERE. So there were potentially many who refused to participate in the survey. I find that intriguing.
As I stated, Dr. Granger has a panache for making policy look good on paper, but not in reality. Take for example, the Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Program. There are currently over 13,400 military dependent children who have been identified with autism, but only 1,300 of those children have been enrolled into the ECHO program. Acceptance into the ECHO program is the only way our children with autism are able to receive medically necessary and medically prescribed treatment for their autism.
Dr. Granger appears to be, a legend in his own living room, and quite possibly in his own mind… again refer to his BIO. Everything is about HIS accomplishments and NOTHING about what he has actually DONE. That’s what I want to know, and think I have a right to know about Dr. Granger’s leadership. He may have held all those positions, but what did he do for the greater good while in those positions?
I offer a quote from Dr. (Major General) Elder Granger, “Anything we can do to enhance the quality of life for our service families is a benefit to the nation and our obligation to the men and women who serve”. I find that astounding, yet given my question above and the following… I find his words difficult to read, let alone believe.
Case in point… In March of this year the Autism Services Demonstration Project was implemented. Since that time it has undergone two re-writings, and is currently undergoing a third. In January of 2007, Dr. Granger through TRICARE Management Activity solicited feedback from families impacted by autism, wanting information to better provide services to military dependent children with autism. In July 2007 a report was issued. You can read that HERE. Only one of the many issues was addressed even though the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 allowed the latitude to address many more urgent needs and treatment requirements for our military dependent children with autism, and the latitude to do so immediately.
The NDAA '08 states that "The Secretary of the military department concerned may establish local centers on military installations for the purpose of providing and coordinating autism services for eligible dependents." The NDAA '08 also goes on to say, "The Secretary of the military department concerned is encouraged to enter into partnerships or contracts with other appropriate public and private entities to carry out the responsibilities of this section." There are organizations who’ve been ready to partner and contract with TRICARE Management Activity to expand the Autism Demo Project, and provide and coordinate autism services. Dr. Granger, Deputy Director for TRICARE was approached regarding this issue as those involved wanted to see this implemented under the Demo Project. This contract would have expanded the Demo, and expedited services and treatment that a large population of our military dependent children with autism could have received. Dr. Granger's response was "absolutely not". There was no reason given for his position and refusal to support a program that would have provided so many of our children with access to medically necessary treatment. Dr. Granger's denial of access to and implementation of a simple solution to provide our children with medically necessary treatment is unconscionable and unethical, given the oath he took as a doctor to, "First Do No Harm".
I would also like to point out that almost six months after the implementation of the Demo project, Dr. Granger is again soliciting input from families of military dependent children with autism. This solicitation came several weeks after initiation of the THIRD re-writing of the Demo project, and you can read the professional/parental feedback HERE. (Click on the comments button) It’s quite an impressive demonstration of what a failure the Demonstration Project is. I did not comment on his “blog”, I commented HERE on Autism Salutes.
Our military healthcare system is not premiere, as Dr. Granger would have you believe. In fact, the military healthcare system was addressed at the National Democratic Convention. Beth Robinson is a Marine Corps spouse, a mother, and she is disabled because she has Multiple Sclerosis. Beth gave a speech at The Democratic National Convention on August 27, 2008, in which she stated, “Military families are grateful for our medical benefits. But I am appalled by the state of the health care system in our country and frustrated by the limitations of military healthcare, which is inadequate and underfunded.” You can read Beth’s speech HERE.
I offer you another quote from Dr. Granger, “TRICARE Management Agency (TMA) must implement appropriate price caps to reduce the potential for paying inflated healthcare costs… Obviously it is not in the best interests of TRICARE or our beneficiaries to have a healthcare payment system in place that does not incorporate appropriate caps on provider fees.” Dr. Granger is obviously referring to having caps on provider fees being in the best interest of TRICARE. It would be in the best interest of TRICARE beneficiaries including retirees, to have TRICARE re-imbursement for medical services of any kind, equal to that of other healthcare re-imbursement. Again, think of our family’s immediate situation regarding our own healthcare provider.
Closure… yep you guessed it… another quote from Dr. Granger, “A healthy mind and body promotes happiness. It gives us a stress-free community, improves family life, and keeps us strong and ready for any mission great or small.”
In my opinion, this man, this doctor, who is in charge of our military healthcare, is so far removed from reality that it scares me beyond comprehension. Our kids suffer from poisoned minds and bodies. The stress that this brings to our families is for most inconceivable. Lack of treatment causes the harm to continue. Continued harm to our children brings continued stress to our families; a far cry from improving family life.
It is Dr. Granger who is NOT “strong and ready for any mission great or small”. If Dr. Granger was ready for the mission, effective solutions would have been implemented long ago.
As I said, TRICARE needs a new name. TRI-CARE-LESS. Dr. Granger could “care less” if our children with autism receive the medically necessary care they require. With autism impacting 1 in every 67 children, Dr. (Major General) Granger’s inaction and failure of leadership has threatened both the readiness and retention of our All-Volunteer Armed Forces. More importantly, Dr. Granger’s focus on managing costs has put the health of our members, spouses, children, and retiree’s in jeopardy. At what point did Dr. Granger decide that it was ok to only approve 2 days of a medically prescribed 14 day course of antibiotics for an “infection”? Because that is exactly what Dr. Granger has done. And since when did we place a dollar value on human life, especially that of a child with a disability? Because Dr. Granger has done that as well.
I reflect upon the words of our great President, John F. Kennedy, “If not me, then who?”. As an American citizen, a military spouse, and a mom to four (two happen to have autism), I have an obligation to speak out about much needed change in both current policy and current “leadership”. Dr. Granger should take a few notes.
Ohhh... and... you may want to watch THIS AGAIN... I think someone has some explaining to do!
Heroes With Handicaps is a 501 (c) 3 which provides financial assistance to military families seeking treatment for their child (ren) with autism not covered by Tricare. Please visit Heroes With Handicaps to learn more and to pick up an application if you need assistance.
If you are interested in hosting a fundraiser for Heroes With Handicaps, please contact Angela at autismrr at gmail dot com
Check back soon to learn how you can purchase an Autism Salutes lapel pin. Every single penny generated from the sale of these pins goes directly to Heroes With Handicaps.
Lee Silsby accepts Tricare! Save $20 on your first order. Click, read, and save!
Because I am turning Autism Salutes into somewhat of a personal blog, yet still autism and military related; I feel the need to clarify that our beloved autism organizations linked here have only endorsed the letter to Secretary Gates (the very first post) and that my views and feelings in any other posts do not necessarily reflect those of our autism organizations.
Endorsing Organizations
On behalf of children and families everywhere impacted by autism, I would like to thank from the deepest parts of my soul, the following organizations who have endorsed what I was able to put together "With a Little Help From My Friends". Words could never fully express the gratitude I feel. Ang
