Washington Report
An Inside Look at Autism Speaks Advocacy
Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearings on Funding the Combating Autism Act
(Windows Media Video, 17 minutes)
The CAA is the landmark law enacted last year authorizing $920 million in federal funding over the next five years to fight autism through biomedical research, surveillance, awareness and early identification. This figure represents a fifty percent increase in the Department of Health and Human Services spending on autism.
Bob Wright, left, testifies before a senate subcommittee as Brad Whitford looks on
Please urge your Members of Congress to support funding for the CAA by clicking here. And click here to read a press release about the Senate hearing.
Landmark Autism Treatment Bill Introduced in the U.S. House
At the press conference, Autism Speaks Executive Committee Member and Cure Autism Now founder Jon Shestack, along with actor and long-time autism advocate Bradley Whitford, applauded the leadership of the bill's cosponsors. “While we wait for science to find the answers that we need, there are over a million affected children and adults who need help now,” said Shestack. “The EPIAA will expand and intensify the federal commitment to serving the needs of those touched by autism, through spending on treatments, interventions, and services for children and adults.”
Please ask your Representative and Senators to cosponsor the bill by clicking here. Click here to read a press release.
April 14, 2007
Exciting Legislative Action Next Week
U.S. House of Representatives.
On the morning of Tuesday, April 17, in Washington, DC, Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Charles “Chip” Pickering (R-MS), will hold a press conference to announce the introduction of the House version of the “Expanding the Promise of Individuals with Autism Act,” which would improve access to autism services across the lifespan. Speakers will include Cure Autism Now co-founder Jonathan Shestack, and actor Bradley Whitford of The West Wing. The Senate version of the bill, S. 937, was introduced on March 20 by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Wayne Allard.
. Please ask your Senators to cosponsor S. 937 by clicking here. (You will be asked to urge your Representative to cosponsor the House bill after it is introduced.)
U.S. Senate. On Tuesday afternoon, Autism Speaks co-founder Bob Wright and actor Bradley Whitford will testify before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. They will advocate for funding to implement the Combating Autism Act of 2006. Please ask your Senators to support CAA funding by clicking here.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
On the morning of April 18, at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, House Speaker Dennis O'Brien (R-Philadelphia County) will announce his introduction of a bill to require an appropriate level of health insurance coverage for autism-related care and services. In addition to helping Pennsylvania families, this landmark legislation will serve as a model for other states across the country. Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright, along with actor Joe Pantoliano, of The Sopranos, will join Speaker O'Brien for this important occasion. Pennsylvanians -- please consider coming to this exciting event! (Capitol Rotunda, 9:45 AM.)
(To learn about and support these and other legislative activities, please sign up for Autism Speaks Advocacy Alerts by clicking here.)
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