Policy Pulse Newsletter - September 2024

In this newsletter:

• Congress passes short-term budget, including extension of Autism CARES Act
• White House announces new rules to improve access to mental health care services
• Engaging in diverse policy discussions on the Congressional Black Caucus, employment policy and ABLE policy.
• Are you ready to vote?

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Congress passes short-term budget, including extension of Autism CARES Act

Thanks to your support, we sent over 17,000 messages to Congress about the Autism CARES Act of 2024 this month. You advocacy paid off as the Autism CARES Act of 2024 passed on an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote (402-13) in the House of Representatives on September 18. The Senate had a limited window of time to consider the bill before it adjourned. While the Autism CARES Act of 2024, among many other bills, did not get passed during this time; fortunately, there was widespread bipartisan agreement that the programs under the Autism CARES Act should continue. 

An extension of funding through December 20 was included in the continuing resolution passed last week. The extension means that critical federal autism programs will continue in the short term without interruption and the Autism CARES Act of 2024 will be taken back up when the Senate returns in November after the election.

In the meantime, we are continuing to advocate to secure five more years of progress and expanded national efforts to address the autism community's needs. Just last week, some of our national board members were on the Hill discussing the historic impact and importance of this law.

Learn more & take action

White House announces new rules to improve access to mental health care services

Autism was mentioned 84 times in new rules that will improve and strengthen access to meaningful care for Americans with private health insurance. 

This updated regulation on mental health parity helps improve access and affordability of health care for autism and other, often co-occurring conditions. Autism Speaks is proud to have supported these changes by engaging in the federal rulemaking process and will continue efforts to increase awareness and enforcement of parity rights. Read more.

Engaging in diverse policy discussions

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference We proudly participated in the annual legislative conference focused on dynamic discussion of policies that center the experiences of the Black Community and advance meaningful efforts to address inequities, challenges and barriers faced by historically marginalized communities across sectors. Photo: Director of Public Policy Alyssa Brockington with US Representative Gregory Meeks

Employment Summit & Hill Day We joined the CEO Commission on Disability Employment for discussions on the future of disability inclusive employment and to advocate for priorities including the ENABLE Act, SSI Savings Penalty Act, Disability Employment Incentive Act, among other employment and workforce priorities. Photo: Director of Public Policy Lisa Belcastro with colleague advocates from National Down Syndrome Society

Congressional Roundtable on ABLE Accounts Hosted by US Senator Eric Schmitt, we participated in a roundtable discussion on Capitol Hill alongside Members of Congress, state treasurers, disability advocates and ABLE account holders on the importance of ABLE Accounts and proposed legislation including the ENABLE Act. Photo: Vice President of Advocacy David Sitcovsky speaks on the ABLE Act's impact on financial security for autistic individuals.

Are you ready to vote?

Voting has already begun in many states! Now, is the time to make sure you have a voting plan in place. Check our our new Autism Votes Resource Hub where you can: 

• Check your voter registration status
• Get state-specific guidelines and support
• Know your rights & the facts
• Address voting misconceptions
• Prepare a sample ballot

Prepare to vote in the 2024 Election

News corner

• Scripps News interviewed Christa Stevens, Director State Government Affairs at Autism Speaks, on how the Autism CARES Act has supported her family in getting services & supports needed over the years. 
• NBC DC interviewed parent advocates Cheryl Chafos and Stuart Spielman on the impact of the Autism CARES Act on families.
• Disability Scoop covered the new federal regulation which will expand insurance protections for those with IDD, quoting Autism Speaks and our priorities in this area.
• Autism Speaks Action Center