Angela's Note: I personally want to thank Karen for putting the below together to run on Autism Salutes. I also want to extend to Karen my deepest thanks and gratitude for her friendship, leadership, and tireless advocacy on behalf of our military dependents with autism, over the past several years. Thank you Karen!
Recently, with the leadership of Congressman Joe Sestak (PA), the House passed comprehensive reforms through the House National Defense Authorization Act (HR 2647) to address the medical needs of military dependents living with autism. The Sestak amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act requires TRICARE (our military healthcare program) to provide coverage for evidenced-based, medically necessary treatments and therapies for all military dependents with autism. These long awaited reforms to help our military children will serve as the first step toward a national model for coverage of effective autism treatments. By helping our military children, you will help legislative efforts in your state and communities as well.
The Sestak Amendment has bipartisan support in the House and Senate, but we need your help to contact key members of the Armed Services Committee and request they include the House language in the final version of the Defense Bill. The support of the Armed Services Committee is vital to the success of these much needed reforms. We need your action today and throughout the next couple weeks.
I've listed several key leaders from the Armed Services Committee below. Please call and fax to request they support the Sestak amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act regarding coverage of medical necessary autism treatments for military children. It is important the final version of the Bill address the treatment needs of our special kids. I've attached a sample fax for you to use.
Not sure what to say when you call? Below is a sample script below for your consideration.
"As a key leader on the Armed Services Committee, I'm calling to request Senator/Congressman XXX support the House language of the Defense Bill regarding the medical necessity of autism treatments for military dependents (the Sestak Amendment). Autism is a devastating medical disorder requiring treatment. Military families living with this devastating disability need the Senator's/Congressman's leadership and action to ensure the final version of the bill addresses the treatment needs of military children with autism. Given the significant responsibilities our military families shoulder today, it is simply the right thing to do. Thank you for your help."
Name Phone Fax
Senator Carl Levin (MI) (202)-224-6221 (202)-224-1388
Senator McCain (AZ) (202)-224-2235 (202)-228-2862
Senator Ben Nelson (NE) (202)-224-6551 (202)-228-0012
Senator Lindsey Graham (SC) (202)-224-5972 (202)-224-3808
Rep Ike Skelton (MO) (202)-225-2876 (202)-225-2695
Rep Buck McKeon (CA) (202)-225-1956 (202)-226-0683
Rep Susan Davis (CA) (202)-225-2040 (202)-225-2948
Rep Joe Wilson (SC) (202)-225-2452 (202)-225-2455
Senator Claire McCaskill (MO) (202)-224-6154 (202)-228-6326
Senator Jim Webb (VA) (202)-224-4024 (202)-228-6363
Senator John Thune (ND) (202)-224-2321 (202)-228-5429
Senator Mel Martinez (FL) (202)-224-3041 (202)-228-5171
Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA) (202)-224-3521 (202)-224-0103
Senator Roger Wicker (MS) (202)-224-6253 (202)-228-0378
Senator David Vitter (LA) (202)-224-4623 (202)-228-5061
Senator Susan Collins (ME) (202)-224-2523 (202)-224-2693
Senator Kay Hagan (NC) (202)-224-6342 (202)-228-2563
Senator Daniel Akaka (HI) (202)-224-6361 (202)-224-2126
Senator Joe Lieberman (CT) (202)-224-4041 (202)-224-9750
Rep Vic Snyder (AR) (202)-225-2506 (202)-225-5903
Rep Loretta Sanchez (CA) (202)-225-6676 (202)-226-1012
Rep David Loebsack (IA) (202)-225-6576 (202)-226-0757
Rep John Kline (MN) (202)-225-2271 (202)-225-2595
Rep Tom Rooney (FL) (202)-225-5792 (202)-225-3132
Rep Mary Fallin (OK) (202)-225-2132 (202)-226-1463
Rep Carol Shea-Porter (NH) (202)-225-5456 (202)-225-5822
Rep Hank Johnson (GA) (202)-225-1605 (202)-226-0691
Rep Walter B Jones (NC) (202)-225-3415 (202)-225-3286
Rep John Fleming (LA) (202)-225-2777 (202)-225-8039
A Closing Note From Angela: I'm sorry if the numbers are hard to read, that's blogger ;)If you would like to fax and don't have access, please visit http://www.myfax.com For $10 a month you can send 100 faxes, and receive 200, all from your email. The first month is a free trial. I took out service a few months ago, and it is a wonderful service, especially with doctors visits etc. I can have everything faxed to me instead of having to wait for snail mail or picking up copies of records. If you sign up (I called versus doing it online), please tell them Autism Salutes/Angela Warner referred you. Thanks
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