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

Practices

Sets vaccine policy which is then adopted by professional societies and individual states

ACIP policy is always accepted as the gold standard for immunization practices

Refuses 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: wendy@nationalautism.org