OMG. If TRICARE Was Working, I’d Shut Up Already.

I shall be brief.

Yes.  1 in 88.  No kidding.

Seriously.  We need to fix the system of military families getting autism treatment for their kids.  Period.

There is no valid arguement about CMKAA and comparing military versus civilian healthcare.  The two are separate issues and I can only fix one freaking thing at a time.  Here’s an idea:  Since we have a bill right now to fix it for the guys and gals who are fighting and have fought to save your ass, let’s just run with what we have and use it for ammo later to get everyone what they need.  I promise to be first on line for that fight, too.  Saying ‘no’ to supporting treatment for our military kids with autism is akin to saying that only George Clooney and Hugh Jackman warrant necessary treatment for prostate cancer should they need it because they are nice to look at.

Yes.  Some military families have actually navigated the TRICARE/ECHO system successfully and gotten autism therapies covered for their kids.

Do you know exactly how many?  No?

Let me tell you.  In a two year period, only 1,374 out of 13,243 active duty military dependents received payment on three or more claims for service using an autism spectrum disorder diagnostic code.

I kid you not.  That’s 10%.   And if you really want to argue some more and somehow say that is more than enough – those 10% could not possibly have all received the recommended 30-40 hours per week of proven treatments, because ECHO caps the dollar limit at roughly 11 hours per week.  That’s less than half of what is recommended.

TRICARE, DoD meeting on autism services.

So if you feel good about our brave men and women continuing to keep you and your loved ones from getting blown up by terrorists while less than 10% of their kids with autism get treatments – Godspeed to you.  I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes when they reinstate the draft.

Peace.

If you have a change of heart and want to support CMKAA, click –> HERE <–.

[Ed note: current FOIA requests for TRICARE data is being witheld, but estimated number of both active duty & retiree dependents with autism is now approximately 30,000.]