Congressional Oversight Committee Presses for Vaccine Research
By Kelli Ann DavisToday, the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the House Science and Technology Committee sent a letter (click HERE to see the letter) to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael Leavitt asking for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) to “promote a balanced research portfolio when examining the underlying causes for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). An examination of the FY07 ASD Research Portfolio shows a strong preference to fund genetic-based studies related to autism. There is growing evidence that suggests a wide range of conditions or environmental exposures may play a role in the emergence of ASD.”
The letter comes one day before a pivotal meeting of the IACC set to review an early draft of a portion of the Strategic Plan (SP) for autism research.
The SP was required as part of the unprecedented Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 in which Congress called for a research agenda that specifically addressed cause (including environmental cause), treatment, and prevention of autism. The CAA listed 13 scientific fields but the only specific research topic mentioned in the legislative history was vaccines and their preservations as a possible cause of autism.
The Subcommittee further states in their letter,“Throughout the 1990’s there was a dramatic increase in the number of children diagnosed with ASD. It is unlikely that this increase is entirely attributable to the more accurate and vigilant diagnosis of the disorder.”
Along with the recommendations for further research into environmental factors, the letter asks Secretary Leavitt to appoint an Autism Advisory Board (AAB) which “should include voices that can articulate the full range of views and concerns in the ASD-community” and specifically names Generation Rescue, SafeMinds and Autism Research Institute (ARI) as 3 of the 6 “research-oriented organizations” to include on the Board.
The Subcommittee has been conducting investigations into several agencies including NASA, DOE and more recently held hearings on CDC’s testing of formaldehyde levels in Hurricane Katrina/Rita FEMA trailers. (Click HERE.)
This letter is the result of a year-long, collaborative effort between Generation Rescue, SafeMinds and the Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee. The letter will be presented at tomorrow’s IACC meeting in Bethesda, MD.
Kelli Ann Davis is the DC Political Liaison for Generation Rescue. She will read this letter at tomorrow’s IACC meeting; and it will enter into the public record.
Kelli,
You are BRILLIANT! Good luck and thanks for ALL that you do! We'll be there in spirit.
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa Conrick | July 15, 2008 at 07:00 PM
Just got back.
Read the letter and put emphasis on certain key words/phrases.
Before I read the last paragraph, I said, "This is probably the most important paragraph for you to hear" and once I was done reading it, I told them that GR was going to continue working closely with the Subcommittee and the Secretary's office (Dr. Raub) to make sure that the stipulations that we worked so hard for in CAA were followed through on and that meant researching vaccines!
Thank God (and I mean that literally) for this letter. Trust me, after today's meeting it *couldn't* have come at a better time.
Ain't God great??!! His timing is always soooooo perfect.
Kelli
Posted by: Kelli Ann Davis | July 15, 2008 at 04:38 PM
This is why I absolutely love AOA!!! You guys do ROCK!!! I would have never heard this info if not for AOA. Has a mtter of fact, I wouldn't hear alot of info if it weren't for AOA. Go get 'em Kelli
Posted by: Riley's mom | July 15, 2008 at 01:11 PM
There with you in spirit. Go get em!
Posted by: Autismville | July 15, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Kelli,
Thanks for sharing this - it is brilliant!
I am going to make copies of this and drop them off at every legislative desk in Minnesota. It is very effective in showing that it is not just "deparate parents" who lack a complete trust of our public health officials, it is also our Congressional "Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight of the House Science and Technology Committee", which backs us up and puts us at a much higher with level with a group of respected individuals.
It also will help me emphasize how the MN legislature's lack of action has eroded it's citizens' trust in THEM.
After all the years we have been in St. Paul pleading with them to at least consider that autism is indeed an epidemic, last fall they finally had a House Health Committee public hearing on autism. It was 2 hours. Mayo Clinic came and assured them there is no risein autism, we are just finding the "background level" of autism that has always been there. "1 in 46 grown men with autism is normal?" I asked - Probably higher was the reply.
Two hours to try to understand the complexities of autism? Talk about living in "your own little world" - sheesh.
Thanks Kelli for being there to stick up for us!
Tim
Posted by: Tim Kasemodel | July 15, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Kelli,
Wow! What a great bit of news. I know you will stand tall and speak loudly for all of our families. Keep the faith!
Cat
Posted by: Cathy Jameson | July 15, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Kelli - I am praying that your reading of the letter does not fall upon deaf, disinterested ears. Best of luck to you.
Posted by: Gayle | July 15, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Judith: Are you going to be there today?
Twyla: I think you Rock.
AND
Terri: Where the h-e-double toothpicks have you been? Can't do without the *Welcome Wagon* now can we??!!
Posted by: Kelli Ann Davis | July 15, 2008 at 06:29 AM
Kelli,
This is great! I wish I could be there to hear you read it out loud.
Maybe a little emphasis on that part about: "Given that the Department has lost *much* of the public's trust. . ."
Whew! (Yeah, "emphasis mine". . .but really speaking for lots of us!)
It's all in the delivery, and we're lucky to have you doing this! Knock 'em dead!! (Figure of speech, figure of speech. . .)
Terri
Posted by: Terri Lewis | July 14, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Wow, this is great!
Posted by: Twyla | July 14, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Wow. That's great news and great timing. Good luck tomorrow Kelli Ann!
Posted by: Autismville | July 14, 2008 at 09:05 PM