The Senate is planning to vote on a “motion to proceed,” the first step in bringing a health-care bill to the floor for a vote early next week. At this time, it’s not clear which health-care bill will be voted on. Please keep the pressure up and ask your Senators not to cut or cap…
The Opinions of Others: I’m No Longer Concerned
When my son was first diagnosed with autism at the age of four and a half, I was truly concerned about what others thought about his different and strange behaviors. My son looks very much like his typical peers, as many children with autism do. People stared and gave me disapproving looks when he would…
Tell Your US Senators Not to Cut or Cap Medicaid!
The US Senate is moving quickly on health-care changes that would hurt people with autism, including proposals to cut and cap Medicaid funds and repeal health-care protections like coverage for pre-existing conditions. A vote on the Senate health-care proposal is likely to take place the week of June 26, and so far, no public hearings…
Ask NC Legislators Not to Cut Services
Last week, the House passed its version of the two-year budget bill, Senate Bill 257. Thank you to all the advocates for telling your stories. The House version of the budget includes 500 Innovations waiver slots, restores more of the funds for services for those waiting for help through Local Management Entities, and raises the…
Health-Care Bill and President’s Budget Would Hurt Individuals with Autism
US Senate Tackles Health-Care Repeal and Replace Bill Senate leadership is convening several work groups to draft improvements to the House-approved version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The bill in its current form slashes Medicaid funding by $834 billion over the next decade and reduces the insured population by 23 million, according to the…
NC Senate Passes Budget: Contact Your NC House Reps
Last week at the North Carolina General Assembly, the Senate passed its version of the two-year state budget bill. The governor previously released his budget proposal; see details on our blog. The NC House plans to spend the next two weeks working on its version of the budget before differences in the two versions must…
Public Policy Update
This article was contributed by Jennifer Mahan, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy. Federal News American Health Care Act (AHCA) Update Thank you for calling your US House of Representatives member regarding cuts to Medicaid in the AHCA and the importance of health-care coverage for autism. Your direct advocacy matters! The US House was not…
Join Our Campaign for Acceptance
Join us this April as we again focus on acceptance and inclusion, not just awareness, for National Autism Awareness Month. The #A2AforAutism campaign to move communities from Awareness “2” Acceptance, started some conversations last year, and we can’t wait to see how it builds this year. We want people with autism, and their families, to…
Action Alert: Ask Representatives to Stop Medicaid Cuts
Action Alert: Proposed Changes to Medicaid Will Cut Funding Call Your Representatives Today! Congress is moving quickly to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) and replace it with the American Health Care Act, or AHCA. This bill will make drastic cuts to the Medicaid program affecting people with autism who are currently…