H.R. 4870, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015

Floor Speech

Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise an issue for consideration as we move towards conference on this bill. When we considered the NDAA several weeks ago, an amendment that I submitted with Mr. ROONEY of Florida was adopted by voice vote to ensure that TRICARE beneficiaries with developmental disabilities have access to behavioral health treatment, specifically a therapy known as applied behavior analysis, or ABA.

The provision streamlines access to care by moving coverage of ABA under TRICARE Basic, removing caps on coverage, ensuring access to providers, and allowing all children with developmental disabilities access to these services.

However, because of the obscure way that a small class of TRICARE beneficiaries' benefits are funded, additional appropriations language is needed to make sure these children get the care they deserve.

I had planned to offer an amendment that would just clarify that retirees and their dependents of the Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of NOAA, and Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service Corps can have these specific ABA treatments made available by the NDAA, funded out of the Defense Health Program.

By doing this, we would fulfill the legislative intent captured in section 704 of the NDAA which ensures access to ABA in TRICARE and states that we intend to ensure appropriate and equitable access to such treatment for all TRICARE beneficiaries.

While I will not offer the amendment at this time, I would appreciate the opportunity to work with Chairman FRELINGHUYSEN and Ranking Member VISCLOSKY as we go to conference to make sure that all TRICARE beneficiaries are able to access the care they need.

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