Griffin Attends Fifth Annual Arkansas Walk Now for Autism Speaks and Second Annual 5K Race

Press Release

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) today issued the following statement after he attended the Fifth Annual Arkansas Walk Now for Autism Speaks and Second Annual 5K Race:

"We still have great uncertainty as to what directly causes autism and many cases go unrecognized, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. With many experts referring to autism as an epidemic, we need to increase awareness and invest in resources to research, diagnose and provide the best possible treatment for this disease that is robbing our children of their childhoods. "

Rep. Griffin is cosponsored H.R. 4631, the Autism CARES Act of 2014, which reauthorizes the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011 through FY 2019. H.R. 4631 specifically reauthorizes programs and activities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) related to autism research. H.R. 4631 also establishes a National Autism Spectrum Disorder Initiative and requires an existing agency official to serve as the point person in coordinating federal autism efforts. H.R. 4631 passed the House by voice vote on July 24, 2014, passed the Senate by Unanimous Consent on July 31, 2014, and was signed into law on August 8, 2014.

Rep. Griffin is also a cosponsor of H.R. 647, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014, which allows the use of tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities to cover qualified expenses related to the individual's disability, such as health, education, housing, transportation, training, assistive technology, personal support, and other related services and expenses. Individuals with ABLE accounts would also maintain eligibility for means-tested benefits programs, such as SSI and Medicaid, allowing the account to supplement, but not supplant, current benefits received. The House Committee on Ways and Means unanimously reported H.R. 647 on July 31, 2014.

In addition, Rep. Griffin has also written numerous letters to the House Committee on Appropriations expressing support for the NIH and its research programs that have led to major advancements in finding cures, improving treatments and gaining a better understanding of the complex causes of diseases like autism that affect millions of Americans.

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