Military Urgent Action Alert!!!

Today the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010, will most likely wrap up and go to the floor for a vote. Senator Gillibrand of NY had prepared an amendment to be introduced to the NDAA '10, which would have provided treatment for autism under the basic Tricare program. Senator Gillibrand's amendment was REJECTED by the Senate Armed Services Committee!

Currently treatment for autism is provided as a special education benefit, which segregates children with autism into a seperate program. Due to this segregation and the constraints of the program, less than 10% of military dependents with autism are able to access any level of care. Those children that are able to access treatment receive far less than the physician recommended level of treatment, and the program is not even open to retiree's dependent children with autism.

Senator Gillibrand's amendment had the potential to change all of that, and it was REJECTED by the very people who are charged with ensuring the needs of the military and it's members are addressed.

We, the members, spouses, and parents of military children with autism need your help to try and stop this from happening. Our military families shoulder significant responsibilities, and our families are in crisis. Please, if you can, take 10 minutes right now, and help us help our families and most importantly, our children with autism.

Listed below are all the phone and fax numbers to the Senators on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Here's what you can do.

1. Call and/or fax as many members of the Senate Armed Services Committee as you can. If you're not quite sure what to say, here is a simple statement for your consideration.

"I appreciate the service and sacrifice our military families have made for our country. Military families with autism face extradorinary challenges and need the Senator's help. I ask that the Senator please allow Senator Gillibrand's autism amendment to the NDAA, amendment S. 1786, to be voted on."

Other points you could make:

"The estimated cost of providing life long care for an individual who has not received appropriate medical treatment for autism is estimated to be between 3.2 million and 5 million. As a tax-paying citizen, I would rather pay for medically necessary treatment than lifelong care. Dependents with autism who receive physician recommended medically necessary treatment, have a SIGNIFICANTLY greater chance of going on to become tax-paying citizens living quality and productive lives."

---If you are a military member, spouse, or have a relative serving who has a dependent with autism, please share your story; especially retiree's.

2. Call and/or fax your Senator and ask that they support and sign on to Senator Gillibrand's amendment (S. 1786) to the NDAA.

If you're not sure who your Senator is, you can go HERE and find them. (You want to call your US Senators)

If you're looking for a way to fax, go HERE It's a terrific and easy to use online fax service that's also inexpensive and quick to set up. They offer a free trial month.

Senate Armed Services Committee Members

Senate Armed Services Committee (Phone is listed first, Fax second)

Levin – Chair MI 202-224-6221, 202-224-1388
McCain – Ranking Member AX 202-224-2235, 202-228-2862
Nelson NE 202-224-6551, 202-228-0012
Graham SC 202-224-5972, 202-224-3808
Burr NC 202-224-3154, 202-228-2981
Akaka HI 202-224-6361, 202-224-2126
Lieberman CT 202-224-4041, 202-228-0341
Webb VA 202-224-4024, 202-228-6363
Reed RI 202-224-4642, 202-224-4680
Sessions AL 202-224-4124, 202-224-3149
Vitter LA 202-224-4623, 202-228-5061
McCaskill MO 202-224-6154, 202-228-6326
Collins ME 202-224-2523, 202-224-2693
Chambliss GA 202-224-3521, 202-224-0103
Bliss IL 202-2242854, 202-228-3333
Thune SD 202-224-2321, 202-228-5429
Byrd WV 202-224-3954, 202-228-0002
Bayh IN 202-224-5623, 202-228-1377
Udall CO 202-224-5941, 202-224-6471
Hagen NC 202-224-6342, 202-228-2563
Inhofe OK 202-224-4721, 202-228-0380
Wicker MS 202-224-6253, 202-228-0378
Martinez FL 202-224-3041, 202-228-5171
Bill Nelson FL 202-224-5274, 202-228-2183
Kennedy MA 202-224-5110, 202-224-2417
Beigich AK 202-224-3004, 202-224-2354

Regardless of whether you are a military member or civilian, if you are able to take some extra time out of your day to make calls or faxes, please contact me, Angela Warner at autismrr at gmail dot com Please use only "Mobilization" in the subject line.

While I am not actually able to post the amendment tonight (I'm sometimes tech challenged), but you may refer to Senator Gillibrand's Bill that was introduced HERE The language comparable to that of her amendment which was REJECTED.

On behalf of our military families, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for any assistance you are able to provide! Now... ABOUT FACE! CHARGE!!!