I got the following email from Karen Driscoll, a Marine Corps wife and the mother of an autistic child. Karen has worked relentlessly to help military families with autistic children.
Please read her email below and then help out.
Dear Family, Friends and Fellow Autism Advocates:
I am very pleased to announce that on Wednesday, June 3rd, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Uniformed Service Autism (USA) Heroes Act (S1169). They were joined by co-sponsors Senators Brownback (R-KS), Cardin (D-MD), Sanders (I-VT), and Specter (D-PA).
This important legislation is the Senate companion to HR 1600 introduced by Representatives Joe Sestak (D-PA), Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), and Walter B. Jones (R-NC). These great leaders are committed to improving the lives of our brave men and women in uniform, their loving families, and most significantly…military children with autism and other disabilities. Families applaud their leadership!
Both S1169 and HR1600 will recognize the medical necessity of effective treatments, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), under the TRICARE standard of care (our military healthcare system).
In addition, it will honor physician-prescribed levels of treatment; hence lifting an arbitrary dollar cap restricting access to effective care and forcing military families to mortgage their homes, pay thousands of dollars out of pocket annually, or worse … to go without.
This important legislation will also allow access to these vital treatments for autistic dependents of military retirees who have proudly worn the uniform.
Get more information now.
Along this journey of ours many of you have asked how you can help. I am calling on you now for your voice and support for our military children with autism.
ACT NOW FOR HR1600 & S1169!
1. Contact your Federal lawmakers – Please take a few moments of your time … what seems to be a very small gesture will have a tremendous impact. If there was ever a time to act and let your voice be heard it’s NOW!
Call, fax and/or e-mail your senators and representatives. Let them know that you are deeply concerned about access to medical treatments for military children with autism. Ask them to strongly support and co-sponsor HR1600 and S1169.
Here is contact information for your senators and representatives.
2. Please forward this e-Mail to your Friends and family –- ask for their support and action.
3. Please contact the below key leaders on the Armed Services Committee. They are in a key position to help.
Senator Carl Levin
202-224-6221
Senator John McCain
202-224-2235
Senator Ben Nelson
202-224-6551
Senator Lindsey Graham
202-224-5972
Rep. Ike Skelton
202-225-2876
Rep. John McHugh
202-225-4611
Rep. Susan Davis
202-225-2040
Rep. Joe Wilson
202-225-2452
4. Please take the time to thank Representatives Joe Sestak, Ciro Rodriguez, Walter Jones and Senators Gillibrand, Collins, Cardin, Brownback, Sanders, and Specter. They are true CHAMPIONS for our special kids and military families.
Our military families shoulder significant responsibilities today and make a great deal of sacrifices. In support of their selfless service to this great nation, I urge you to take the time and let your voice be heard.
Our success can be attributed to each and every one of you taking action. Together we can make a difference in the life of a military child with disabilities.
On behalf of thousands of military children impacted by autism … a million thanks!
Semper Fi,
Karen Driscoll - Marine Corps wife, mother of 3 (one with autism)
karen0622@aol.com
___
Phyllis Zimbler Miller is the author of MRS. LIEUTENANT: A SHARON GOLD NOVEL and the co-author of the Jewish holiday book SEASONS FOR CELEBRATION. She also blogs as a National Internet Business Examiner and at Operation Support Jews in the Military and Fiction Marketing, and she is the co-host of the BlogTalkRadio show Your Military Life.
Her company Miller Mosaic LLC builds call-to-action websites that get people to say yes to your brand, book or business. Her newest project is the book/website project In Support of Our Troops.
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