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Larson Wins Victory For Military Families

May 18, 2016

Washington – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment led by Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) to ensure military families with children on the autism spectrum are able to receive the care they need. Larson previously fought to make sure TRICARE—the health insurance program for active duty and retired military personnel and their dependents—provides appropriate access to applied behavioral analysis (ABA). On April 1st of this year, TRICARE drastically cut the reimbursement rates for ABA providers serving military families. Larson’s amendment restores previous reimbursement rates, removing a potentially significant barrier to families who need access to ABA.

“Our military families already sacrifice so much, but they should never have to sacrifice the health of their children. Thanks to today’s bipartisan effort, they won’t have to,” said Larson. “I am proud to lead the effort to help families who already face significant challenges. By reversing these ill-advised cuts, we can ensure they continue to receive access to the care they need. I’d like to thank my colleague Rep. Tom Rooney, who has been such a great partner in these efforts over the years, as well as Reps. Chris Smith, Mike Doyle, and Walter Jones who have also been tremendous champions for these families.”

Larson has won several bipartisan victories to make applied behavior analysis a permanent benefit in TRICARE. In 2014, TRICARE launched the TRICARE Comprehensive Autism Care Demonstration—slated to run through the end of 2018 and provide greater access to ABA services for countless families. The proposed rate cuts for providers, which took effect on April 1st of this year, were opposed by many military families groups, as well as Larson and other Members of Congress who wrote to TRICARE in March.

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