US House Introduces Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009

[Guest guest]

US House Introduces Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009

05/15/09 Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen.

Dear Autism Advocate,

Autism Speaks, the nation's largest autism science and advocacy

organization, today applauded Representatives Mike Doyle (D-PA),

(R-NJ), Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Hank (D-GA) for their introduction

of a House companion bill to the Senate's Autism Treatment Acceleration Act

(ATAA), which was introduced last month by Senators Durbin (D-IL),

Casey (D-PA), and Menendez (D-NJ). Like the Senate version,

the House version of the ATAA (H.R. 2413) is comprehensive federal

legislation that addresses several critical challenges facing the autism

community, including increased funding for scientific research, treatment

and services. The ATAA incorporates provisions from the Expanding the

Promise of Individuals with Autism Act (EPIAA), originally proposed by

Representatives Doyle, , Engel, and former-Representative Chip

Pickering.

As in the Senate's ATAA bill, a key section of the House bill requires all

insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of

autism spectrum disorder (ASDs), including coverage of Applied Behavior

Analysis (ABA) therapy - a medically-necessary, evidence-based autism

treatment. While the number of states that have enacted comprehensive autism

insurance reform legislation has grown to ten, most state insurers are still

allowed to specifically exclude coverage for these critical services, which

can cost upward of $50,000 a year - well beyond the means of most families.

The House version of the bill also addresses the unique needs of adults with

ASDs, creating a demonstration project with one-year planning grants and

multi-year implementation grants for the provision of service for adults

with autism. In addition, it creates the Network for Autism Spectrum

Disorders Research and Services aimed at accelerating the dissemination and

utilization of critical, new information, moving it from " bench to bedside "

as quickly as possible.

Now Help US Get ATAA Passed!:

1. CONTACT YOUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVE! Urge him/her to become a cosponsor

of the ATAA bill, H.R. 2413.

> Call your Representative's office and let him/her know that you support

> the ATAA bill, H.R. 2413, and you want your Representative to become a

> cosponsor today. Click here to find the name and phone number for your

> federal Representative!

> Send an email to your Representative! Autism Votes has written part of

> the email message for you. All you need to do is fill in the empty box

> with your story about your family's experience with autism and how the

> ATAA bill will help. Click here to send an email to your Representative!

2. STAY INFORMED ON THE ATAA BILL! Sign up to receive Autism Votes email

alerts and stay informed on the progress of the ATAA bill.

3. FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY! Get your friends and family

involved in getting the ATAA bill passed.

For a complete summary description of both the House and Senate ATAA bills,

visit our website at www.AutismVotes.org/ATAA.

Sincerely,

Emken

Vice President, Government Relations

Autism Speaks

Take Action Today

> Donate Now to Autism Votes

> Contact your federal Representative and urge them to cosponsor the ATAA!

> Forward this email to a friend

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> Visit our website at www.AutismVotes.org

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Autism Speaks

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