House passes Doyle bill authorizing $1B in autism funding

Jul. 25--The U.S. House has passed a bill co-authored by Rep. Mike Doyle of Allegheny County that authorizes $1 billion in funding for autism research and services.

By a voice vote, the Autism CARES Act was approved by the House on Wednesday. The bill, which would reauthorize a similar bill passed in 2014, was introduced on Feb. 7 by Doyle, D-18, Forest Hills, and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

"Reauthorization of the Autism CARES Act means a great deal to millions of Americans affected by autism spectrum disorder," Doyle said in a statement.

The legislation would authorize more than $1 billion in funding over five years for programs at the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Doyle's statement said the CDC would receive funding for developmental disability surveillance and research; the HRSA allotment would cover education, early detection and intervention; and the NIH's funding would cover the expansion and coordination of autism-related activities.

"These programs have done a great deal to improve the lives of individuals with autism, but there is still much more that needs to be done," Doyle said. "This bill would help address some of the gaps that remain in our understanding of (autism spectrum disorder), as well as develop interventions and more support for individuals with autism, their families and autism-care professionals."

The bill has wide support among autism advocacy organizations, including Autism Speaks, the Autism Society of America, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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