VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (July 21, 2013) -- Military families gathered in Virginia Beach over the weekend to start a petition drive urging Congress to require better insurance coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment for autism. WAVY, the NBC affiliate in Hampton Roads, VA, reported on the rally.
The rally was in response to new policies announced by TRICARE imposing restrictions to ABA care under a pilot program for retired and non-active personnel. The policies, which take effect July 25, originally would have applied to all TRICARE coverage, including the ECHO program for active duty members, but was revised after an uproar from military families and members of Congress.
Legislation that would have required ABA coverage for all military members passed both houses of Congress last year, but was amended down to the pilot program in conference committee. Similar legislation this year has passed the House and awaits action in the Senate.