Date: 2011-09-20
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of H.R. 2005. the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act. As a founding Member of the Congressional Childrens Caucus. I am greatly concerned with the impact that autism has on children and their families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Autism Spectrum Disorders impact an average of 1 in 110 American children. and 1 in 70 boys. We can all benefit from learning about this disease. autism occurs in all racial. ethnic. and socioeconomic groups. Continuing research on treating this disease is essential for childrens health. Thousands of children with autism disorders have already shown significant improvement and increased independence resulting from early detection and new treatments. Currently. there are between 1 and 1.5 million Americans living with a form of autism. If current diagnostic rates remain the same or increase. more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS. diabetes and cancer combined. Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the country. In my home state of Texas. where I represent the 18th Congressional District. there are 1 out of every 163 public students who are eight years old has a form of autism. As many parents can attest. autism is an extremely costly disability. the average annual medical expenditures for individuals with autism are between 4 and 6 times greater than those without autism. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) places the average lifetime care cost for an autism patient at 3.2 million dollars. This legislation provides funding for services to assist individuals with autism and their families. and allocates vital dollars toward research to improve care and treatment. The Combating Autism Act of 2006 was a landmark piece of legislation that raised awareness of autism spectrum disorders. and organized an aggressive federal response to autism. Reauthorizing this bill continues funding at current levels. $693 million dollars over 3 years for biomedical and treatment research. and services for those living with autism and their families. In 2006. the Combating Autism Act established the disease as a national health priority. increased awareness. and highlighted the need for swift and urgent action to address autism. Since that time. promising developments and innovations have helped individuals living with autism lead more independent lives. Improvements in detection and treatment have led to increased independence in teenagers and adults with autism. The Combating Autism Reauthorization Act is a shining example of how government can do more than issue Social Security checks and debate debt reduction. This legislation clearly demonstrates that our government can be a force for good. and a mechanism for change. New science and new technology have presented an unparalleled moment of possibility. this legislation has the power to make real differences in the lives of those affected by autism. Mr. Speaker. we all have constituents living with autism. We all have constituents whose child. sibling. cousin. or friend is living with a form of autism. This disability affects Americans of all races and backgrounds. and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2005. the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act.