For those interested in the appropriations part of the Combating Autism Act. I hope these appropriations will be supported as they have the potential to benefit kids like my son.
October 1X, 2007
Dear Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Walsh:
On behalf of the estimated 1.77 million American families affected by autism spectrum disorders (ASD, hereafter referred to as autism), we thank you for your leadership in including $16.5 million at the CDC for autism activities in H.R. 3043, the 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, and respectfully request that you provide at least the House level for autism activities at the CDC and support at least the Senate level of $37 million in HRSA, for autism activities in the Conference Report on the Fiscal 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. In addition, we respectfully request that the House conferees agree to the Senate level of $1 million within the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services for administration of the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee.
As you may know, it is estimated that 1 in 150 children in this country has autism or another Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. The condition has truly become an epidemic, yet federal funding for autism research is less than that for much less prevalent diseases.
Last year, Congress very appropriately responded to this crisis by enacting the Combating Autism Act (CAA). For Fiscal 2008, the CAA authorizes a total of $168 million for a variety of critical autism activities, including: (1) $16.5 million for the CDC to conduct its Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research program; (2) $37 million for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out autism education, early detection, and Intervention programs; and (3) $114.5 million for the HHS Secretary and the NIH to form and operate an Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, implement the expansion, intensification and coordination of research on ASD, and fund and review autism centers of excellence.
Both the House and Senate passed these authorizations, the House by voice vote and the Senate by Unanimous Consent. Again, we thank you for your support in the House-passed Labor, Health and Human Services Bill, H.R 3043.
We thank you for considering this most important request. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Kenneth DeGraff in the office of Rep. Doyle at (5-2135), Tim Lynagh in the office of Rep. Chris Smith (5-3765), or Peter Kay in the office of Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (5-5516).
Sincerely,
Mike Doyle
Christopher H. Smith
Carolyn McCarthy
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