Military Families Affected by Disabilities: Act Today!

Follow-Up: What You Can Do! Read the Individual Family Stories submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

July 3, 2012 (Huffington Post): Senate Hearing on Medical Necessity of Autism Care for Military Families.
Is ABA as “medical therapy” mean that it was “medically necessary”? Why are thousands of military families still being denied ABA?

Update: Hearing now scheduled for Thursday, June 21, 1430.  Dirksen Senate Office Building, Room SD-106*

Due to the high interest level for Wednesday’s Senate briefing, Senator Webb has moved the hearing to Rm 216 of the Senate Hart Building (same time 1430). This is one of the largest rooms available.

Jeremy was able to provide the Senators with 70+ individual stories since the word went out last Thursday…not bad for Father’s Day weekend. Thank you!

Senate Hearing

The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel will be holding a hearing on the issues impacting our military families affected by disabilities.

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 1430, RM 232-A Senate Russell Bldg. Open to the public.

Jeremy Hilton is expected to testify as well as other witnesses. Act today! Help Jeremy add your story to the official record.

Deadline: Sunday, June 17, 2012. Please send your story to jlrmhilton@gmail.com.

These kinds of opportunities don’t come around often so please take advantage of it.

A large portion of the testimony and discussion will more than likely be referencing a potential Gillibrand amendment regarding ABA and the recent OPM decision to include ABA as a medically necessary therapy for the dependents of federal workers.

Jeremy intends to address that issue in written testimony, along with other issues relevant to the military community including special education, Tricare, Medicaid waivers, and the EFMP programs.

Jeremy’s Prepared Statement before the Committee

The National Council on Disability (NCD) Transmittal Letter on USMC EFMP Study.

Ensure Your Voice is Heard. Include Your Story in the Official Record

If you are interested in participating, please send your family’s story to Jeremy.

• one page only
• formats: word, jpg, or pdf
• include a picture of your family
• bullet points and/or a short synopsis of the primary issues to you and your family
• rank is not relevant for this purpose
• review attached sample stories
• NLT than Sunday night, June 17, 2012

If you have something positive you want to share, please do so.

These kinds of opportunities don’t come around often so please take advantage of it. 

Effective Family Stories

Senate staffers or the Senators themselves will be reviewing the story you send.

Meet the Fort family.

Meet the Hafer family.

If you are in the DC area, try to attend the hearing. It will be open to the public.

Jeremy recommends:

• For those of you on active duty, you don’t wear your uniform.
• It’s liable to be packed so get there early.

Thanks –  from Jeremy Hilton.
jlrmhilton@gmail.com (please send your story here)