Policy Pulse | Advocacy in full swing
Policy Pulse Newsletter - January 2025
February 3, 2025In this newsletter:
- Congressional Autism Caucus
- A researcher perspective on how the Autism CARES Act will advance care for severe & challenging behaviors
- Highlights from the start of state legislative sessions
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Congressional Autism Caucus
Founded by Rep. Chris Smith in the 107th Congress, the bipartisan and bicameral Autism Caucus has been a driver of autism-specific federal programs, which have helped transform our understanding of autism as well as the supports available to families for over 20 years.
A new Congress brings new opportunity to grow the size of the Autism Caucus; and as a result, increase support of national autism policy.
Ask your members of Congress to join.
A researcher perspective
How the Autism CARES Act will advance care for severe & challenging autism behaviors
Dr. Nathan Call, a researcher at the Marcus Autism Center and member of Autism Speaks’ Autism Care Network (ACNet), is dedicated to tackling some of the most complex and pressing needs of a frequently overlooked segment of the autism community: those who engage in self-injurious or aggressive behaviors.
Now that this important piece of legislation has passed, Dr. Call shares how the Autism CARES Act has already made a meaningful impact—and how it will continue to improve the lives of autistic people and their families for years to come. Read Dr. Call's Blog.
State sessions kick-off
Most state legislative sessions have begun, and so has our 2025 state policy work. There are 98 autism-related bills that we are monitoring progress of and a subset that we are actively lobbying on across the country. Here's highlights of some of the activity thus far!
California Thanking Champions | Virginia Advocating at the State Capitol |
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We presented Assemblymember Corey Jackson with our 2024 Public Service Award. His early and decisive work on behalf of the autism and I/DD community paved the way for an increase in reimbursement rates for disability service providers, which took effect at the beginning of the year. Read more. 
| Advocates across the Commonwealth joined together for Virginia's annual Autism Advocacy Day. We spoke with legislators about two bills to expand autism data collection and establish an Autism Commission. If passed, these bills will inform and drive future policy efforts. Learn more & Take action. 
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Maryland Protecting Budget for DD Services | Colorado Improving Access to Care |
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The Maryland Governor’s proposed budget included approximately $200 million in cuts and cost containment measures for the state agency that provides critical services relied upon by the autism community. Advocates are rallying together to take action. | One bill to strengthen mental health parity had early committee action. Meanwhile, we are also advocating against cuts to the Health First Colorado ABA provider rates and advocating to protect access to home and community-based services through changes to the state Medicaid waivers. |
Texas Implementing Medicaid - Since Texas' Medicaid benefit for applied behavior analysis launched in 2022, Autism Speaks has worked on its implementation. We're gathering community feedback on access to ABA in preparation for a February hearing. Share your experience. Empowering Direct Support Professionals - As part of the Texas Time to Care Coalition, we continue to advocate for competitive DSP wages in order to ensure individuals with IDD can receive the supports needed to live as independently and safely as possible. Share your story. | 
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News corner
- Andy Shih, Chief Science Officer at Autism Speaks, was quoted in this article about Bill Gates' autism revelation: "As a result, many individuals who would meet today’s criteria for autism went undiagnosed."
- Disability Scoop: “Congress Authorizes Nearly $2 Billion For Autism”
Additional Resources & Tools
