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SENATOR COLLINS JOINS FIGHT TO COMBAT AUTISM

Washington, DC –Senator Susan Collins is cosponsoring legislation that will strengthen and coordinate federal efforts regarding autism research, screening, early diagnosis, and treatment. The Combating Autism Act of 2005 expands upon provisions in the Child Health Act of 2000 and authorizes $860 million over five years to advance autism research.

"Autism is a complex disorder affecting millions of Americans. This bill will allow us to advance and strengthen autism research, so we can improve the quality of life for children and families living with autism," Senator Collins said.

Specifically, this bill includes provisions that will: require the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to coordinate all autism-related research efforts and develop a strategic plan to combat autism; reauthorize the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) program to enhance understanding of autism's prevalence; task the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with the responsibility of providing for a national educational program on autism; reauthorize the federal Autism Coordinating Committee, which has created a "road map" for future autism related research and prevention efforts; provide for the development of statewide screening, education and treatment programs for autism; and task the National Institute of Environment Health Sciences to create Centers of Excellence devoted to investigating possible environmental contributors to autism.

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