The Combating Autism Act of 2006
President Signs Bill Authorizing Funding of Combating Autism Act
$162 million appropriated to fund autism research, services and treatment
$162 million appropriated to fund autism research, services and treatment
WASHINGTON DC (Dec 26, 2007) Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism advocacy organization, today applauded as President Bush signed the Fiscal 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The bill contains appropriations for the Combating Autism Act at the levels stipulated in the CAA, less an across the board cut of 1.747%. The cut is being administered to all programs and activities within the Labor, Health and Human Services section of the omnibus bill.
The bill contains the following appropriations:
The bill contains the following appropriations:
- Autism services, diagnosis and treatment at the Health Resources and Services Administration: $36,354,000, a $16.354 million increase over Fiscal 2007 ($37m was the level authorized by Combating Autism Act).
- Autism surveillance and awareness at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: $16.212 million, a $1.2m increase over Fiscal 2007 ($16.5m was the level authorized by the Combating Autism Act).
- An estimated $108.5 million for NIH-funded autism research.
- Implementation of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC): $1 million within the budget of the National Institute of Mental Health is earmarked for IACC implementation.
In total, Autism Speaks expects a 2008 fiscal appropriation of approximately $162 million, as authorized by the Combating Autism Act.
Senate Subcommittee Approves Funding for CAA
In June 2007, the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved funding for the Combating Autism Act as part of its fiscal 2008 spending bill. Specifically, the Subcommittee provided funding towards the CAA authorized $53.5 million for programs at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The Subcommittee has also taken 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). The Subcommittee provided $1 million for creation and implementation of the IACC and has required 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.
This appropriations 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.
In June 2007, the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee approved funding for the Combating Autism Act as part of its fiscal 2008 spending bill. Specifically, the Subcommittee provided funding towards the CAA authorized $53.5 million for programs at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The Subcommittee has also taken 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). The Subcommittee provided $1 million for creation and implementation of the IACC and has required 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.
This appropriations 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.
In April, the Senate subcommittee responsible for funding implementation of the CAA held its first hearing on “Combating Autism: A Coordinated Response.”Autism Speaks Co-Founder Bob Wright, along with actor and long-time autism advocate Bradley Whitford, testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. Working in collaboration with other autism community advocates, they
Footage of the April 17 CAA Appropriations Hearing in D.C.
(Windows Media Video, 17 minutes)
(Windows Media Video, 17 minutes)
urged the subcommittee to approve funding the $168 million authorized by the bill for Fiscal Year 2008.
Read the Washington Report on the CAA hearing
Read the press release
Read the Washington Report on the CAA hearing
Read the press release
CAA Summary Description
The CAA authorizes $920 million in federal funding to fight autism through biomedical and environmental research, surveillance, awareness and early identification, over the next five years. This figure represents an increase of fifty percent increase in the Department of Health and Human Services spending on autism.
The CAA also identifies the Secretary of HHS as the lead agent for the federal response to autism, raising it to a cabinet-level priority for the first time. As a result of the CAA, HHS is directed to expand training opportunities to increase the number of sites for diagnosis, particularly in states that do not have them.
Read text of the law (Public Law 109-416)
History of CAA
The Combating Autism Act (S.843) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 6, 2006, and by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 7, 2006. It was signed into law on Dec. 19, 2006, by President George W. Bush. The law is considered by some to be the most comprehensive piece of single-disease legislation ever passed by the United States Congress.
Read more about the history of CAA
Read about the 2005 introduction of the Combating Autism Act
Watch video of Bob Wright's speech at Introduction of Combating Autism Act of 2005
Read a White House Fact Sheet on the Combating Autism Act
Read the full press releases on:
Presidential Signing of the Bill
Senate Approval
House Approval
Senate Passage of Original Bill
Introduction of Original House Bill
News Coverage
View video of Autism Speaks Co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright appearance on CNBC's "Street Signs", where they discuss the CAA with Erin Burnett. Read more...
View video of Autism Speaks Senior Vice President Alison Singer on NBC Nightly News, discussing this landmark legislation with Dr. Nancy Snyderman.
View ABC World News Tonight's coverage of the Combating Autism Act.
Newsweek article, Dec. 7, 2006
ABC News, Dec. 7, 2006
McClatchey Washington Bureau, Dec 5, 2006
The CAA authorizes $920 million in federal funding to fight autism through biomedical and environmental research, surveillance, awareness and early identification, over the next five years. This figure represents an increase of fifty percent increase in the Department of Health and Human Services spending on autism.
The CAA also identifies the Secretary of HHS as the lead agent for the federal response to autism, raising it to a cabinet-level priority for the first time. As a result of the CAA, HHS is directed to expand training opportunities to increase the number of sites for diagnosis, particularly in states that do not have them.
Read text of the law (Public Law 109-416)
History of CAA
The Combating Autism Act (S.843) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 6, 2006, and by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 7, 2006. It was signed into law on Dec. 19, 2006, by President George W. Bush. The law is considered by some to be the most comprehensive piece of single-disease legislation ever passed by the United States Congress.
Read more about the history of CAA
Read about the 2005 introduction of the Combating Autism Act
Watch video of Bob Wright's speech at Introduction of Combating Autism Act of 2005
Read a White House Fact Sheet on the Combating Autism Act
Read the full press releases on:
Presidential Signing of the Bill
Senate Approval
House Approval
Senate Passage of Original Bill
Introduction of Original House Bill
News Coverage
View video of Autism Speaks Co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright appearance on CNBC's "Street Signs", where they discuss the CAA with Erin Burnett. Read more...
View video of Autism Speaks Senior Vice President Alison Singer on NBC Nightly News, discussing this landmark legislation with Dr. Nancy Snyderman.
View ABC World News Tonight's coverage of the Combating Autism Act.
Newsweek article, Dec. 7, 2006
ABC News, Dec. 7, 2006
McClatchey Washington Bureau, Dec 5, 2006
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