  
Action Alert
Ask Your Senators to Support Behavioral Health Care for Children of Military
Families
Major Events Last Week
Health Care – The Affordable Care Act Deadline to Sign Up for Health
Insurance in The Private Marketplace Extended
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has moved the deadline back from
December 15 to December 23 for signing up for health insurance in the private
marketplace for coverage beginning on January 1, 2014. The open enrollment period
continues through March 31, 2014. HHS continues to work on improving the performance
of the healthcare.gov website used to enroll in the plans in the states where the federal
government established the marketplace.
Autism – Behavioral Health Therapy Amendment to the Defense Authorization
Bill Introduced
On November 19, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced
amendment 2265 to provide access to behavioral health treatment, including applied
behavioral analysis (ABA), to children and adults with developmental disabilities in the
health care system for military families (TRICARE). A similar provision was passed by the
House in June. Decades of research show the effectiveness of behavioral health care for
children with significant developmental disabilities to be successful in school and live
independently. TRICARE currently provides limited coverage of ABA under three different
programs (view a summary: http://www.autismspeaks.org/advocacy/insurancelink/results/5).
See action alert above.
Announcements
Schedule for Capitol Insider
Capitol Insider will not be sent out on Monday, December 2, 2013. The House and Senate
are both in recess until December 2 for the Thanksgiving holiday. While both chambers are
out of session there will be little to report, please check the Capitol Insider Blog for policy
updates. |
