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e-Speaks || June 23, 2007
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Senate Subcommittee Approves Full Funding for CAA
Bill now moves to full Senate Appropriations Committee
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The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee has approved full funding for the Combating Autism Act as part of its fiscal 2008 spending bill. Specifically,the bill provides $53.5 million for programs at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This is an $18.5 million increase over last year's level, and fully funds the Combating Autism Act's recommendations for autism surveillance, early detection, education, awareness and intervention activities. More details about the bill are available here.
The Committee also took an important step toward ensuring that the National Institutes of Health follow the recommendations of and provide funding for the Autism Strategic Research Plan that will be developed by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) . Today's Senate bill provides $1 million for creation and implementation of the IACC. The bill also requires the NIH to provide a report by July 1, 2008 on its implementation of the research-related provisions of the Combating Autism Act, including funding levels for research recommended by the IACC's strategic plan.
The bill will now go to the full Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration, and then on to the Senate floor. Following Senate approval, the bill will proceed to conference committee where it will be reconciled with the appropriations bill passed by the House of Representatives.
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Autism Speaks Continues Push for State Insurance Legislation
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Autism advocates have also been hard at work in Pennsylvania advocating for PA House Bill 1150, which would require private insurance companies to provide coverage for autism- related services and therapies for individuals with autism up to age 21. Dozens of families and individuals affected by autism will join House Speaker Dennis O'Brien on Monday at a rally in the Harrisburg Capitol Rotunda to urge members of the Pennsylvania legislature to vote in favor of the bill. The Pennsylvania bill is designed to serve as a model for other state legislation as Autism Speaks continues its nationwide effort to help end insurance industry discrimination against children with autism. Learn about state and federal legislation (including how to help in Pennsylvania) here, or email us at advocacy@autismspeaks.org.
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IAN Project Conference Held in Baltimore
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The IAN Project, an online database collecting information from families of children with autism spectrum disorders all over the United States, held its second research conference in Baltimore, Maryland this week. Autism researchers from a wide variety of disciplines, as well as parents and advocates, gathered to hear about progress and future plans. Substantial time was devoted to topics families have asked IAN to address, such as expanding the project to include adults with ASDs and creating an IAN questionnaire focused on environmental causes of autism.
Read the IAN Research Conference Report.
Families interested in participating in IAN Research can learn about the project at
http://www.ianproject.org/.
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9th Annual NY Celebrity Golf Challenge Raises Over $1M
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Autism Speaks' 9th Annual NY Celebrity Golf Challenge raised more than $1 million, on June 18. The event, held at the renowned Winged Foot course in Mamaroneck, New York, brought out celebrities from the worlds of sports and entertainment. Read more and watch video. Plus, see photos.
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Build-A-Bear Workshop Donates $50,000
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Build-A-Bear Workshops around the country raised funds and awareness during National Autism Awareness month through sales of purple satin hearts. For each purple heart purchased, Build-A-Bear Workshop donated $1 to benefit Autism Speaks. This is the third year that Build-A-Bear has contributed to the mission of Autism Speaks through a retail promotion during the month of April. Read more about this, and other recent events.
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In Their Own Words - Living With Asperger's
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In our latest "In Their Own Words" essay, a recent high school graduate with Asperger's Syndrome (and Autism Speaks intern) tells how support and therapy made a difference in her life.
Read more.
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