Wolf Cosponsors Autism Measure
Congressman Frank R. Wolf : News Releases : Wolf Cosponsors Autism Measure
WOLF COSPONSORS AUTISM MEASURE
Bill Aimed at Providing Better Benefits to Military Families
Washington, D.C. -- Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th) today announced that he is cosponsoring legislation aimed at helping military families with children who have special needs.
Wolf has signed onto H.R. 1600, which authorizes TRICARE, the Department of Defense’s managed health care plan, to provide coverage for autism treatment such as Applied Behavorial Analysis therapy..
Provisions in the bill allow TRICARE to cover the cost of drugs, psychiatric care, speech therapy and occupational and physical therapy. Group therapy also is covered. The measure also says that children under the age of 5 who have developmental delays and are at risk for autism cannot be denied access to treatment if treatment is medically necessary.
A number of states have recently enacted autism insurance reform legislation that requires private insurance companies to cover autism. Because military families face frequent moves, H.R. 1600 will provide a more stable treatment plan for children whose parents serve in uniform.
"So many families are touched by autism," Wolf said. "Service members and their children already make so many sacrifices for our country they should be provided with the same level of care when they are required to move from bases to base, regardless of where they are living."
Autism is a condition that affects one in every 150 American children, and is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. A new case is diagnosed every 20 minutes, making it the fastest-growing serious developmental condition in the United States. If this escalating trend continues, the prevalence of autism could reach some 4 million Americans within the next decade.