Measure Would Help Disabled Children

A pending amendment to the 2014 defense-spending bill would require TRICARE, the military’s managed-care system, to cover treatment for children with behavioral health issues and developmental disabilities. Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y., introduced the measure – Senate Amendment 2265 – Nov. 20. In a joint statement, the two lawmakers said the change is necessary because TRICARE frequently denies coverage for such care. When coverage is authorized, it frequently covers less than half of the treatment time that doctors prescribe.