Over 900 people are in Washington DC to talk about disability issues and educate Congress for the 2019 Disability Policy Seminar.
Action Steps:
Follow along and engage with the conference on social media #DPS2019
Make a virtual hill visit on Wednesday by calling both of your Senators and your Representative to share what is important to you. Resources for your call:
The President's FY 2020 Budget Request cuts or eliminates critical funding for multiple programs that impact people with disabilities, including LENDs, UCEDDs and PNS. The budget process for Fiscal Year 2020, which starts on October 1, 2019, is in the hands of the House and Senate.
Hearing directly from constituents about why and how program funding impacts their district is the most important way to impact appropriations or how much money programs receive.
Action Steps:
Educate the Congressional Delegation of your state or territory about requested appropriations to support the programs you care about. Simply email sharing AUCD's language and ask.
LEND
UCEDD
PNS
Autism CARES 2019
The Autism CARES Act - which has expanded research and coordination, increased public awareness and surveillance, and expanded interdisciplinary health professional training, including LENDs, to identify and support children and youth with Autism and their families - will sunset (expire) in September 2019 without a successful reauthorization. Bills to reauthorize the Act have been introduced and need co-sponsors (HR. 1058, S. 427). Currently 10 Senators and 38 Representatives have joined as co-sponsors.
Moving the bill before expiration in September will require action. Congressmen and Co-Sponsors Smith and Doyle have requested that the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Awareness Month.
Action Steps:
This week contact your Representative (202-224-3121) and ask them to support the request that the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Awareness Month.
Sample Script: “I am [Name] from [State]. I have seen the impact of Autism CARES and the lives changed because of this important legislation. I urge you to ask the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Awareness Month. Thank you
Contact your Congressional delegation and make sure they are engaged in the reauthorization.
Invite your Congressmembers to be a co-sponsor of Autism CARES, or thank them for their involvement.
Use this easy form to send an educational email to your members about the importance of Autism CARES legislation.
Health Care
Money Follows the Person
The Senate, by a voice vote without amendments passed the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019 (H.R. 1839) on April 2nd.
This is the same bill, extends spousal impoverishment protections through September 2019, includes a new version of ACE Kids, includes an additional $20 million for Money Follows the Person and has a very small extension until June 2019 for Excellence in Mental Health states., that passed the House last week, so it will go to the President for signing.
Action Step:
Contact both your Senators and thank them for their support of the Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019
HHS OVERSIGHT OF OBAMACARE
Testifying in front of the Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS subcommittee, the HHS secretary Azar responded to questions about how HHS would administer the Affordable Care at in light of the Justice Departnemt’s new postions that the law should be fully struck down. Secreatory Azar said he told his staff to implement the ACA "faithfully and fully across the board,"We have not and will not make any changes to how we administer the Affordable Care Act in light of the litigation," Azar testified. See video. Azar reportedly wasn't in favor of the Justice Department's new stance that the law should be fully struck down.
Education
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Annual Reports for project year 2017 have now been posted on thhe Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’s website. In addition to the State performance reports, the website provides a national summary of the VR program for PY 2017. The website also provides links to data element definitions for the performance reports.
The following notable candidates have filed to run for president with the Federal Election Commission or announced exploratory committees. Your voice is needed to ensure that disability policy is part of the campaign.
Action Steps:
For candidates who are currently in office, share and elevate their position on key disability legislation as noted below. Tip: You can and should ask them to support bills of importance.
Check out the campaign website of each candidate (links below); use the sites to ask questions about disability policy.
Tim Ryan (D), Representative from Ohio, announced on April 4, 2019
Co-sponsored Autism CARES
Beto O'Rourke (D), former Representative from Texas, announced on March 14th, 2019
Jay Inslee (D), Governor of Washington state, announced on February 28, 2019
Bernie Sanders (I), U.S. Senator from Vermont, announced on February 19, 2019
Co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019
Amy Klobuchar (D), U.S. Senator from Minnesota, announced on February 10, 2019
Cosponsor of the Autism Cares 2019
Co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019
Corey Booker (D), U.S. Senator from New Jersey, announced on February 1, 2019
Co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019
Pete Buttigieg (D), Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced on January 23, 2019
Kamala Harris (D), U.S. Senator from California, announced on January 21, 2019
Co-sponsor of the Transformation to Competitive Employment Act
Co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019
Kirsten Gillibrand (D), U.S. Senator from New York, announced on January 15, 2019
Co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019
Julian Castro (D), former U.S. Secretary of HUD, announced on January 12, 2019
Tulsi Gabbard (D), U.S. Representative from Hawaii, announced on January 11, 2019
Co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019
Elizabeth Warren (D), U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, announced on December 31, 2018
Co-sponsor of the Disability Integration Act of 2019
Andrew Yang (D), entrepreneur and venture capitalist, filed on November 6, 2017
John Delaney (D), former U.S. Representative from Maryland, filed on August 10, 2017
Donald Trump (R), sitting President, officially filed his campaign, January 20, 2017
Tuesdays with Liz: Tuesdays with Liz: Happy Autism Acceptance Month!
Description:
April is all about autism as it is Autism Acceptance Month! Liz talks about why we need to advocate for acceptance of autism and not only awareness, what autism is, and briefly covers the Autism CARES Act.
A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.