Autism Cares Act was formally called Combatting Autism Act. Advocates such as myself, protested that name so they changed the name. It was a renewal of the act from 2014. I will take it apart, peice by peice. Original text will be in italics.
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder and enhance programs relating to autism, and for other purposes.
This is to change the Public Health Service Act to improve actions of the NIH with research and programs. Research always means finding a cure. Keep this in mind.
Section 1.Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019or the
Autism CARES Act of 2019.
The title is listed. The Autism Cares Act stands for Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Educate and Support Act of 2019.
Sec 2. Expansion, intensification, and coordination of activities of the NIH with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder
Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended—
in subsection (a)(1)—
in the first sentence, by striking
and toxicologyand inserting
toxicology, and interventions to maximize outcomes for persons with autism spectrum disorder; and
by striking the second sentence and inserting the following:
Such research shall investigate the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or rule out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, services across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and treatments.;
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (2)—
in the second sentence, by striking
causeand all that follows through
disorderand inserting
causes, diagnosis, early and ongoing detection, prevention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan; and
in the third sentence, by striking
neurobiologyand all that follows through the period and inserting
neurobiology, genetics, genomics, psychopharmacology, developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, and clinical psychology.; and
in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:
(D)
Reducing disparities
The Director may consider, as appropriate, the extent to which a center can demonstrate availability and access to clinical services for youth and adults from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, or linguistic backgrounds in decisions about awarding grants to applicants which meet the scientific criteria for funding under this section.
The director of this law has deciding power over who can have access to services. This is very concerning.
Sec 3. Programs relating to autism
Developmental disabilities surveillance and research program
Section 399AA(e) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i(e)) is amended by striking
2019and inserting
2024.
We need to be under surveillance now?
Autism education, early detection, and intervention
Section 399BB of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–142 U.S.C. 280i–142 U.S.C. 280i–142 U.S.C. 280i–142 U.S.C. 280i–1) is amended—
in subsection (a)(1), by striking
children with autism spectrum disorderand all that follows through
disabilities;and inserting
individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across their lifespan;;
This section includes all ages, not just children. This is an improvement.
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (2), by inserting
individuals withbefore
autism spectrum disorder;
by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively; and
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
promote evidence-based screening techniques and interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across their lifespan
;
in subsection (c)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
across their lifespanbefore
and their families;
Changing verbage to everyone, not just children.
in subsection (e)—
in paragraph (1)—
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
across their lifespanbefore
and ensure; and
Changing verbage to all ages.
in subparagraph (B)(iv), by inserting
across their lifespanafter
other developmental disabilities;
by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
Developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs
In general
In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary may prioritize awards to applicants that are developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs located in rural or underserved areas.
Definition of underserved area
In this paragraph, the term underserved area means—
a health professional shortage area (as defined in section 332(a)(1)(A)); and
an urban or rural area designated by the Secretary as an area with a shortage of personal health services as described in section 330(b)(3)(A)).
“Developmental-behavior pediatrician training programs” might not be a bad thing. This will allow pediatricians to know how to interact with our children. We had a doctor scream at my son for laughing when he was in pain.
It also brings services to underserviced areas. This is a good thing. This is for rural areas that would otherwise would have no services.
in subsection (f), by inserting
across the lifespan of such individualsafter
other developmental disabilities; and
in subsection (g), by striking
2019and inserting
2024.
This section just changes the year of expiration.
Interagency autism coordinating committee
Section 399CC of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–242 U.S.C. 280i–242 U.S.C. 280i–242 U.S.C. 280i–242 U.S.C. 280i–2) is amended—
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (2), by inserting
across the lifespan of such individualsbefore the semicolon; and
This is a change for people of all ages.
in paragraph (5), by inserting
across the lifespan of such individualsbefore
and the families;
This includes the families. Do we not get any say?
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting
, the Department of Labor, the Department of Justice, the Department of Housing and Urban Development,after
Department of Education; and
Including the department of labor, department of justice, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development is not a bad thing. This may allow people to have access to housing, employment services, etc. This will help people as adults.
in paragraph (3)(A), by striking
one or more additional 4-year termsand inserting
one additional 4-year term; and
This limits a committee member to 2 four year term. This will allow new people on the committee.
in subsection (f), by striking
2019and inserting
2024.
This changes the years of expiration.
Reports to Congress
Section 399DD of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–342 U.S.C. 280i–342 U.S.C. 280i–342 U.S.C. 280i–342 U.S.C. 280i–3) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
in paragraph (1), by striking
Autism CARES Act of 2014and inserting
Autism CARES Act of 2019; and
This changes the year of the law.
in paragraph (2)—
in subparagraphs (A), (B), (D), and (E), by striking
Autism CARES Act of 2014each place it appears and inserting
Autism CARES Act of 2019;
This changes the year of the law.
in subparagraph (G), by striking
age of the childand inserting
age of the individual;
This changes the age to be any age, not just children.
in subparagraph (H), by striking
; andand inserting
;;
in subparagraph (I), by striking the period and inserting
; and; and
by adding at the end the following:
information on how States use home- and community-based services and other supports to ensure that individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities are living, working, and participating in their community.
This does not tell us how they will be using autistic peoples personal information will be used. We deserve privacy too!
; and
in subsection (b)—
in the heading, by striking
young adults and transitioning youthand inserting
the health and well-Being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder across their lifespan;
This allows for all ages to receive services but I wonder how much they care about our well being if they will not include fake cures in this law.
by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
In general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2019, the Secretary shall prepare and submit, to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report concerning the health and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
They require a report on the health and well being of autistic people in the country. How will they have a report on everyone when adults have a hard time obtaining diagnosis? Getting a report on EVERYONE will be impossible.
; and
in paragraph (2)—
by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
demographic factors associated with the health and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder;
They want to categorize us in their little boxes by wanting to know demographic information. We do not belong in a box.
;
in subparagraph (B), by striking
young adultsand all that follows through the semicolon and inserting
the health and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including an identification of existing Federal laws, regulations, policies, research, and programs;; and
by amending subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) to read as follows:
recommendations on establishing best practices guidelines to ensure interdisciplinary coordination between all relevant service providers receiving Federal funding;
comprehensive approaches to improving health outcomes and well-being for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including—
community-based behavioral supports and interventions;
nutrition, recreational, and social activities; and
personal safety services related to public safety agencies or the criminal justice system for such individuals; and
Community based behavior supports is ABA. Do not be fooled. We are advocating against this barbaric practice.
Nutritional means quack diets that are proven not to do anything but aggravate sensory issues.
Recreational and social activities are a good thing but need to be optional.
There does need to be training for public safety organizations. There is good training in my local area BUT it needs to be across the county.
recommendations that seek to improve health outcomes for such individuals, including across their lifespan, by addressing—
screening and diagnosis of children and adults;
behavioral and other therapeutic approaches;
primary and preventative care;
communication challenges;
aggression, self-injury, elopement, and other behavioral issues;
emergency room visits and acute care hospitalization;
treatment for co-occurring physical and mental health conditions;
premature mortality;
medical practitioner training; and
caregiver mental health.
.There does need to be improved health outcomes in the areas listed above. Behavioral approaches needs to be eliminated. For agression, self injury, elopement and other issues there needs to be understanding. If we have understanding, there would be no need. All you have to do is talk to an autistic person.
For premature mortality, stop the awareness campaigns. It raises the suicide rate. It is not rocket science.
Care giver mental health is extremely important. If you do not take care of yourself, you cannot care for someone else.
Authorization of appropriations
Section 399EE of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–442 U.S.C. 280i–442 U.S.C. 280i–442 U.S.C. 280i–442 U.S.C. 280i–4) is amended—
in subsection (a), by striking
$22,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019and inserting
$23,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024;
in subsection (b), by striking
$48,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019and inserting
$50,599,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024; and
in subsection (c), by striking
there is authorized to be appropriated $190,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019and inserting
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.