Combating Autism Act of 2005

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

The Combating Autism Act of 2005 has now been introduced into both the US House and Senate. This update, following my signature, from www.autismbill.org provides great information, a bill summary, and links on what to do to help NOW and how to contact your federal legislators. Please make your voice heard and contact your legislators today! Please share.

Note: The ASA is not listed as a "participating" organization at the bottom of the page because it has not entered into a formal agreement with the parent organization of "Autism Speaks". ASA very much supports The Combating Autism Act of 2005.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org2005 ASO Bi-Annual Conference"Reaching Beyond the Horizon - Challenging the Autism Spectrum"Friday and Saturday, October 14-15, 2005 Kingsgate Marriott in Cincinnati, Ohio Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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AUTISM ACTION ALERTSenate Bill S.843 and House Bill H.R.2421 "Combating Autism Act of 2005"

Are YOUR Senators currently co-sponsoring Senate Bill S.843?Are YOUR Representatives currently co-sponsoring House Bill H.R.2421?If not, phone, fax and e-mail your state's Senators and Representatives,urging each of them to co-sponsor these important Bills!

"Right now, autism is a disorder that leaves families with far too many questions and far too few answers…That is why it is so critical that we put the full weight of the federal government's scientific resources behind efforts to develop better ways to diagnose, treat and hopefully cure autism."

- Congresswoman DeGette (D-CO)

On April 19th, U.S. Senators Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Dodd (D-CT) introduced the Combating Autism Act of 2005 (S.843), a bipartisan bill that could significantly expand the federal government's response to the autism epidemic. The bill (H.R.2421) was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswomen Bono (R-CA) and DeGette (D-CO) on May 18th. The Combating Autism Act commits an unprecedented $860 million in federal funds to combat autism through research, screening, intervention and education efforts, in effect doubling the current federal autism funding level.

Because of a different committee agenda in the House, H.R.2421 does not include provisions of the Senate bill relating to the National Institutes of Health. Those issues will be considered separately in the House. In every other respect, H.R.2421 is identical to S.843, including vital provisions relating to autism surveillance, public awareness, and--most importantly--early identification and treatment.

How can you help?

We urge you to join concerned families and all major autism organizations in supporting the Combating Autism Act of 2005. Both Houses of Congress must successfully secure the sponsorship required to enact this legislation. You can help by contacting your representatives in Washington D.C. and asking them to co-sponsor the Combating Autism Act of 2005, known as S.843 in the Senate and H.R.2421 in the House. This is the most important and comprehensive autism-related legislation since the Children's Health Act of 2000, which expires this year. If we join our voices through this organized effort, we can get the Combating Autism Act enacted this year. Make your voice heard now:

Click here to Telephone your US representatives Click here to Fax a letter to your US representatives Click here to E-mail a letter to your US representatives

When you contact your Senators, please invite them to contact Jen Vesey with Senator Santorum at (202) 224-6324 or Jim Fenton with Senator Dodd at (202) 224-2823 about co-sponsoring this bill. When you contact your Congressmen, please invite them to contact with Congresswoman Bono at (202) 225-5330 or Meghan Taira with Congresswoman DeGette at (202) 225-4431.

To see if your representatives have signed on to this effort, please click here. If they have signed on, please thank them for their support.

For more information and a section-by-section summary of the Combating Autism Act of 2005, please click here.

On behalf of all those affected by autism, we thank you for your support and ask that you please refer as many people as possible to this web site. With your efforts, we can make a true difference in accelerating the pace and progress of autism research, and directly impact the lives of all of us affected by autism.