New Jersey-2014-ACR113-Introduced

A Concurrent Resolution memorializing Congress and the President of the United States to enact H.R. 2288, the "Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act."

Whereas, Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disabilities characterized by atypical development in socialization, communication, and behavior, and the symptoms usually are present before three years of age; and

Whereas, Families raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder experience great stress, and for military families, that stress is compounded by the challenges associated with military service, including the reality that one parent may have to face the sole responsibility of raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder while the other parent is on active duty; and

Whereas, There is no single best treatment for all children with autism spectrum disorders, but most experts agree that early intervention is important and that children with autism spectrum disorders respond well to highly structured, specialized programs; and

Whereas, Among the methods available to treat children with autism spectrum disorders is applied behavioral analysis, which involves between 20 and 40 hours per week of intensive, one-on-one child-teacher interactions; and

Whereas, Treatments for autism spectrum disorders can be costly and some families may spend more than $50,000 per year on therapies such as applied behavioral analysis; and

Whereas, Currently TRICARE, the managed health care program established by the Department of Defense to serve uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, offers the Extended Health Care Option (ECHO) to family members with special needs; and

Whereas, Dependents with special needs may receive limited or no autism-related therapies because the total ECHO benefit is $36,000 per year and benefits through ECHO are available only to dependents of active duty service members; and

Whereas, Introduced in June 2011, House Resolution No. 2288, the "Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act"would require that health care benefits under TRICARE include physician-prescribed treatments for autism spectrum disorders, including applied behavioral analysis; and

Whereas, The "Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act" would enable dependents of both active and retired service members to receive prescribed treatments for autism spectrum disorders and would eliminate the arbitrary dollar limitation on these costly treatments; and

Whereas, Military families, who make great sacrifices to protect our freedom and security, deserve to be able to provide their children with the treatments they need; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. This Legislature respectfully memorializes the Congress and the President of the United States to enact H.R. 2288, the "Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act," which would require that autism spectrum disorder treatments authorized for dependents in uniformed services facilities under TRICARE include behavioral health treatments when prescribed by a physician.

2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly and the Secretary of the Senate, shall be transmitted to the presiding officers of the United States Congress, each of the members of the Congress elected from the State of New Jersey, and the President of the United States.

STATEMENT

This resolution memorializes the Congress and the President of the United States to enact H.R. 2288, the "Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act." H.R. 2288 would require that TRICARE, the health care program for service members and their dependents, provide benefits for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders without imposing the current annual $36,000 benefit cap, and would extend the benefit to dependents of retired service members.