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 The Combating Autism Act of 2006

 

 US House of Representatives Approves Funding for Combating Autism Act
$162 million appropriated to fund autism research, services and treatment

 WASHINGTON DC (December 19, 2007) Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism advocacy organization, today applauded the US House of Representatives for passing 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:

  • 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.

Yesterday the Senate approved the Omnibus appropriations bill. The entire package will now go to the President's desk for his signature. The White House has indicated that the President will sign the bill.

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.


Senate Hearing: “Combating Autism: A Coordinated Response.”

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  urged the subcommittee to approve funding the $168 million authorized by the bill for Fiscal Year 2008.

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.

History of CAA 

Backgrounder: Combating Autism Act

  • 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 is considered by some to be the most comprehensive piece of single-disease legislation ever passed by the United States Congress.

  • The Combating Autism Act (CAA) includes provisions relating to the diagnosis and treatment of persons with autism spectrum disorders, and expands and intensifies biomedical research on autism, including an essential focus on possible environmental causes.

  • The CAA authorizes appropriations of $924 million during the next 5 fiscal years, increasing federal spending on autism by at least 50%.

  • The CAA creates a congressionally mandated roadmap for a federal war against autism, including requirements for strategic planning, budget transparency, Congressional oversight, and a substantial role for parents of children with autism in the federal decision-making process.

  • The CAA authorizes $645 million over 5 years to the NIH to expand, intensify and coordinate activities on autism, instructing it to conduct basic and clinical research into the causes of and treatments for autism, including potential environmental causes. This amounts to an increase of at least 50% of current federal spending on autism research.

  • The CAA authorizes $69 million over 5 years to the CDC for autism epidemiology and awareness activities.

  • The CAA authorizes $210 million to Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for improvements in autism education, early detection and early intervention. In order to receive federal assistance to conduct these programs, the Governor of each state is asked to designate a lead agency for autism activities and to use public outreach tools including toll free telephone numbers, the Internet and targeted mailings.

  • The CAA restructures the InterAgency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), charging the new IACC with developing, and annually reporting to Congress, a strategic plan for the conduct of autism research. The IACC shall include not less than 1/3 public members (at least two of which shall be personally affected by autism, including one person diagnosed with autism and one parent of a person diagnosed with autism).

  • The Senate bill (S.843) was sponsored by Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT). The House version was brought to the House floor by Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX), Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The House bill was originally introduced by Congresswomen Mary Bono (R-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO). The bill has the support of all major autism
    advocacy groups.

  • S.843 first passed the Senate by unanimous consent in August 2006. Senate action on the revised House version followed on Dec. 7, 2006.

    NBC Universal Chairman and CEO Bob Wright Launches "Autism Speaks"
    CNBC; Minutes: 12:33
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     White House Fact Sheet: Combating Autism Act of 2006

    Today, President Bush Signed The Combating Autism Act Of 2006. This Act authorizes expanded activities related to autism research, prevention, and treatment through FY 2011. There are more than 1.5 million cases of autism in the United States.

    • Since The President Took Office, National Institutes Of Health (NIH) Funding For Autism-Related Research Has Increased By Over 80 Percent From $56 Million In FY 2001 To An Estimated $101 Million In The FY 2007 Budget, Including Support For Autism Centers of Excellence . In addition, the Budget includes approximately $15 million at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for autism surveillance and research, including five regional Centers of Excellence for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology. In October, CDC initiated a $5.9 million study to help identify factors that may put children at risk for autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities.

    The Combating Autism Act Enhances Research, Surveillance, And Education Regarding Autism Spectrum Disorder

    The Act Authorizes Research Under NIH To Address The Entire Scope Of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism, sometimes called "classical autism," is the most common condition in a group of developmental disorders known as the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS).

    The Act Authorizes Regional Centers Of Excellence For Autism Spectrum Disorder Research And Epidemiology. These Centers collect and analyze information on the number, incidence, correlates, and causes of ASD and other developmental disabilities. The Act also authorizes grants to States for collection, analysis, and dissemination of data related to autism.

    The Act Authorizes Activities To Increase Public Awareness Of Autism, Improve The Ability Of Health Care Providers To Use Evidence-Based Interventions, And Increase Early Screening For Autism. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to:

    • Provide information and education on ASD and other developmental disabilities to increase public awareness of developmental milestones;
    • Promote research into the development and validation of reliable screening tools for ASD and other developmental disabilities and disseminate information regarding those screening tools;
    • Promote early screening of individuals at higher risk for ASD and other developmental disabilities as early as practicable;
    • Increase the number of individuals who are able to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of ASD and other developmental disabilities;
    • Increase the number of individuals able to provide evidence-based interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD or other developmental disabilities; and
    • Promote the use of evidence-based interventions for individuals at higher risk for ASD and other developmental disabilities as early as practicable.

     The Act Calls On The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) To Enhance Information Sharing. The IACC provides a forum to facilitate the efficient and effective exchange of information about autism activities, programs, policies, and research among the Federal government, several non-profit groups, and the public. The Combating Autism Act requires the IACC to provide information and recommendations on ASD-related programs, and to continue its work to develop and update annually a strategic plan for ASD research.

    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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     What to Do About It

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    NBC Universal Chairman and CEO Bob Wright Launches "Autism Speaks"
    CNBC; Minutes: 12:33
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    Bob Wright at Introduction of Combating Autism Act of 2005
    Minutes: 4:27
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    Bob Wright Calls for More Funding of Autism Medical Research
    Hardball with Chris Matthews; Minutes: 2:34
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