Election Day 2006 brought a round of changes at all levels of government, as Democrats won control of the House of Representatives and possibly the U.S. Senate (AP and CNN are reporting today that James Webb has won the VA Senate seat), 28 Governor's mansions, full control of 23 state legislatures and partial control of 10 state legislatures. This Democratic wave has broad implications for many health issues, including autism, as Democrats have made health care a centerpiece of their agenda. In the early days of the 110th Congress, the Congress will likely consider legislation related to the reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada, allowing the federal government to negotiate for lower drug costs and efforts to fill the Medicare Part D doughnut hole. With regard to autism, Democrats may try to increase funding for biomedical research, public health programs and education programs.

That said, Democrats will be challenged to translate campaign promises into legislative realities. Despite Democratic victories in the House, the margins to enact legislation are very thin. Furthermore, Senate rules requiring a 60 vote majority for most legislative initiatives ensure that health care reforms will have to be bipartisan measures. While it is difficult to predict the direct impact this will have on autism, ASA will be sure to work with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to continue to build support for autism related issues.

For a comprehensive analysis of the election and its outcomes, go to: http://www.sonnenschein.com/docs/2006electioninsight.pdf

Combating Autism Act

Despite the sweeping changes in the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the defeat of Combating Autism Act author Senator Rick Santorum, ASA continues its efforts to enact this critical legislation this year. Thanks to the outpouring of support from autism advocates all over the country, Chairman Barton has approached the autism community to identify a possible compromise on this important legislation. While negotiations are still underway, ASA is hopeful that they will yield a compromise that can be passed during the lame-duck session. ASA is working with Chairman Barton's office and other leaders in the autism community to ensure that a comprehensive, strong and effective bill is enacted. As more information about this potential compromise becomes available, we will be sure to notify ASA's members and supporters.

Media Coverage: Stalled Autism Bill Highlights Funding Rift
By Jeannie Kever, Houston Chronicle

In labs across the country, the increasingly vocal demands for more research into the causes and treatment of autism have been a good thing.

"People are convinced it's an important problem to work on," said Dr. Arthur Beaudet, a geneticist at Baylor College of Medicine. "You see it on the covers of magazines and on your TV screens. It's increasing the funding."

To read the entire article, in which ASA's Ennvironmental Health Advisory Board Co-chair Dr. Martha Herbert and ASA Director of Chapters and Membership Jeff Sell are quoted, go to: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4307489.html

ASA Promotes Passage of Lifespan Respite Care Act
Important Legislation to Provide Temporary Relief for Caregivers

As previously reported, the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2005 was passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and needs to be moved to the House floor for a member vote. This bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to develop respite care programs at the state or local level and to evaluate the effectiveness of such care. The bill defines "respite care" to mean planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with a special need in order to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver. The bill would also establish the National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care to: 1) maintain a national database on lifespan respite care; 2) provide training and technical assistance to state, community, and nonprofit respite care programs; and 3) provide information, referral, and educational programs to the public on lifespan respite care.

Research on families of minor and adult children with disabilities, including autism, indicates that one of the most sought after services is respite care. It allows caregivers to take a break from their caregiving duties to attend to sibling needs, the health of their marriage, and to themselves. ASA supports the Lifespan Respite Care Act and encourages families of individuals with autism to actively promote its passage with their Senators and Representatives. Press on the links to see a sample letter to the editor, a list of the bills’ cosponsors, and state-by-state numbers of family caregivers and the dollar amount of uncompensated care they provide released by the National Family Caregivers Association.
 

ASA Urges Increased Funding for Social Security Administration
Services for Those with Autism Affected

ASA signed on to a Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) letter to William H. Frist (R-TN), Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV), Minority Leader, Thad Cochran (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, and Robert Byrd (D-WV), Ranking Minority Member, requesting that the Senate provide at least the President’s budget request of $9.494 billion for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Limitation on Administrative Expenses (LAE) and that the Senate remove SSA’s LAE from the discretionary budget caps. SSA’s funding level of $9.093 billion, included in the Senate Committee Report of the FY 2007 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, is $401 million less than the President’s request. This cut would exacerbate reductions in fiscal year 2006 when SSA’s budget was $294 million less than requested by the President for that year. If the $401 million cut for FY 2007 is passed, Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart has indicated that SSA will need to take a number of significant actions including:

• Closing of local SSA offices nationwide
• Increasing serious delays for individuals
• Reducing the number of continuing disability reviews (CDRs)

Services to individuals with autism and other disabilities would be hampered by such actions. The letter urged the Senate to appropriate the additional $401 million and to remove SSA’s budget authority from discretionary spending caps.