Comments: House Health Care Bill Contains Autism Training Initiative
Re: "It's not clear to me how all of this will improve health care delivery..."
You could no doubt uncover hundreds of similar examples in that Leviathan of a bill. Because it's no doubt porked-up out of control. Because that's what Congress does.
That money may be targeted to specific universities associated with specific states and/or congressional districts. The political motivations for much spending are intentionally opaque.
Expect no rational leadership out of Washington. When it appears to happen, it's only an accident.
Posted by SteveM at November 2, 2009 05:30 AM
Good coverage of the health care bill and you've identified some serious weaknesses overall in your several posts on the topic. It's discouraging when lawmakers are writing laws about stuff they don't really bother to understand. And sliding things in that aren't really relevant to the overall goal (not necessarily including autism research in that -- just making a general point). I'll be trying to work on my representatives but it's an uphill battle and a lot of stuff here to grasp before sounding off. Thanks for helping to define the issues.
Posted by Sara at November 2, 2009 07:38 AM
I have been too overloaded lately to write about this one so far, but it strikes me as a kneejerk sop to organizations like Autism Speaks. They're not taking into account what people actually need: consideration of our neurological differences, and some practical help at times, definitely not more being treated as sick. Here's one excellent post on it: Autism and Medical Coverage.
I agree with Joel that any services autistic people (including us adults) actually need ought to stay in the general disability services category, rather than being specifically medicalized.
Posted by Urocyon at November 2, 2009 10:19 AM
I work at a school and the cases of Autistic Spectrum Disorders continues rise far beyond the available resources. Increased understanding and compassion is needed from support services. I recommend www.WrongPlanet.net as an excellent resource.
Posted by JJ at November 2, 2009 09:47 PM