The Politics of AutismThe Politics of AutismNational Autism AssociationNational Autism Association
Wendy Fournier, PresidentWendy Fournier, President
The Ultimate InspirationThe Ultimate Inspiration
We are all advocatesWe are all advocates
Political Advocacy 101Political Advocacy 101How to get involved
Stay informedJoin advocacy groups email lists to receive
political action alertsGet to know your legislators and their staffPersonal visits, phone calls and faxes are more
effective than e-mailsSchedule an in-person meetingContact info is available at www.congress.gov
Political Advocacy 101Political Advocacy 101Scheduling Meetings with Legislators
Ask to speak with your rep’s Health Staffer or Legislative Aide (L.A.) to set up an appointment with your representative
Remember, they work for YOU. They are readily available to hear the concerns of their constituents
Give your reason for requesting a meeting If your rep is not available for a personal
meeting, ask the Health L.A. to meet with youWrap up your phone call within 5 minutes
Political Advocacy 101Political Advocacy 101Meeting Preparation
Be well-preparedInclude information specific to your stateDecide on one specific “ask”Limit yourself to three talking points to maintain
focusView pending legislation at http://thomas.loc.govMeetings normally last 20-30 minutes. Your planned
talking points should take no longer than 20 minutes to present allowing time for questions/discussion
Prepare an information packet to leave behind
Political Advocacy 101Political Advocacy 101At Your Meeting
Start with a brief personal story to underscore the importance of the issue
Stay focused on your “ask” and your three talking points
If you receive a positive response, ask how you can best follow up
If you do not receive a positive response, ask what additional information they may need
Autism is a national crisis - ask your Member of Congress to take a significant leadership role
Political Advocacy 101Political Advocacy 101Before You Leave…
Request a time line on when you will receive an answer to your request
Leave behind your information packet and your contact information
Thank the attendees for their timeRemember that this is just the first step in
developing a positive, ongoing relationship
Political Advocacy 101Political Advocacy 101Follow Up After Your Meeting…
Send a thank you note after the visitMake an attempt to attend meetings and
fundraisers for your representativeInvite your rep to attend local autism-related
events in your communityContact the L.A. periodically until you get an
official answer to your request
Political Advocacy 101Political Advocacy 101Homework Assignment
Three great bills pending in the HouseH.R. 1973 - The Vaccine Safety and Public
Confidence Assurance Act of 2007H.R. 881 - The Mercury Free Vaccines Act of 2007H.R. 2832 - The Comprehensive Comparative
Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations Act of 2007
Check http://thomas.loc.gov to see if your rep has co-sponsored these bills
Pending LegislationPending LegislationH.R.1973
Introduced by Congressman Dave Weldon (R-FL)The Vaccine Safety and Public Confidence Assurance Act of
2007Transfers vaccine-safety regulatory functions now
conducted by the CDC to a new independent entity, the Agency for Vaccine Safety Evaluation AVSE
Requires that those who monitor vaccine safety and conduct vaccine research must be free of conflicts of interest
Places oversight of the VSD, the nation’s primary resource for vaccine safety information, under the AVSE, assuring the public that analysis and reporting of vaccine safety will be unbiased.
Pending LegislationPending LegislationH.R.1973
Provides for membership on the Advisory Council by those most affected by vaccine safety policy: vaccine-injured individuals and their parents.
Requires public access to dataRequires transparency in decision-making by
government regulatorsRequires accountability by the government to the
public that it serves
Pending LegislationPending LegislationH.R.881
The Mercury Free Vaccines Act of 2007 introduced by Congressman Dave Weldon (R-FL)
Significant progress made since 1999 to remove HgNo law or regulation that would prohibit reintroduction of
Hg.EPA estimates that as many as one in six children born
with blood level of Hg that exceeds EPA’s safety threshold“Cumulative exposures to mercury, a neurotoxin, are
known to cause harm, particularly in young children and pregnant women.”
“Taking steps to reduce mercury exposures through vaccines is an important way to reduce direct exposures to mercury and mercury compounds.”
Pending LegislationPending LegislationH.R.2832
H.R.5940 – Introduced last year by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Requires NIH to conduct a comparative study of total health outcomes for vaccinated and unvaccinated populations - this bill will be reintroduced soon and may have a new bill number
For bill text go to http://thomas.loc.gov
What’s going on at CDC?What’s going on at CDC?The Centers for Disease Control
Inherent Conflicts of InterestResponsible for Both Safety and Promotion of
VaccinesRefuses to Acknowledge the Autism EpidemicBetter Diagnosing? This Agency Continues to Fail our ChildrenWhere is the Sense of Urgency?
What’s going on at CDC?What’s going on at CDC?Advisory Committee on Immunization
PracticesSets vaccine policy which is then adopted by
professional societies and individual statesACIP policy is always accepted as the gold
standard for immunization practicesRefuses to State Preference for Mercury-Free
Vaccines due to market impact and perception concerns
Conflicts of Interest EncouragedDisgraceful Display of Corruption3 Public Meetings per Year at CDC Campus is
Atlanta
What’s going on in What’s going on in Washington?Washington?
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
What is the IACC?Who serves on the committee?When does the IACC meet?How you can be involved
What’s going on in What’s going on in Washington?Washington?
The IACC Autism Research MatrixWhat is the Autism Research Matrix?A Work in ProgressSeeking Public Input
What’s going on in What’s going on in Washington?Washington?
The IACC Autism Research MatrixIdentify Environmental FactorsDon’t wait for Genetics Exposure HistoryDatabase including co-occurring medical conditionsEarly intervention should include biomedical treatmentStudy vaccinated/unvaccinated populationsEducate personnel about reducing toxic exposures and
supporting biomedical approaches including nutritionalEducate physicians and create standards of care
What’s going on in What’s going on in Washington?Washington?
Green Our Vaccines RallyLed by Jenny McCarthy and Jim CarreyEvent will take place on June 4th, 2008Thousands will march to the Capitol for the
rally and meetings with legislatorsFor event details visit www.tacanow.comAsk your reps to attend
Together, anything’s Together, anything’s possible.possible.
Thank you!Thank you!
Web: www.NationalAutism.orgPhone: 877-622-2884
Wendy FournierEmail: [email protected]