Senate passes autism bill (The Hill, July 31)
The Senate passed a bill Thursday night that reauthorizes federal support for autism programs. The Autism CARES Act, H.R. 4631, requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an official to oversee national autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research. It also extends autism education programs through 2019.
Obamas To Host People With Disabilities (Disability Scoop, July 29)
The president and first lady will welcome a group of people with disabilities to the White House this week for a special dinner focusing on efforts to promote acceptance.
Senate Confirms McDonald as VA Secretary (The Wall Street Journal, July 29 updated)
The Senate confirmed Robert McDonald to hear the Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday, one day after congressional leader cobbled together a $17 billion funding bill to help reform the agency and expand care.
When the Caregivers Need Healing (New York Times, July 29)
With these simple techniques, Dr. Pinter, who teaches English at Belmont University in Nashville, blunts the stress of parenting a child with severe developmental disabilities. Dr. Pinter, who said she descends from “a long line of the most nervous women,” credits her mindfulness practice with giving her the tools to cope with whatever might come her way.
State’s $1.3 Billion Medicaid Problem (The Wall Street Journal, July 29)
The federal government has demanded that New York state pay back nearly $1.3 billion in Medicaid money distributed in 2010… At issue are the costs of caring for about 1,300 people with developmental disabilities[.]
Lower health costs extend Medicare hospital fund by 4 years; Social Security OK until 2013 (Associated Press, July 28)
Medicare’s finances are looking brighter, the government said[]. The program’s giant hospital trust fund won’t be exhausted until 2030—four years later than last year’s estimate.
Opinion: A Promising Deal on Reforming Veterans Affairs (The Wall Street Journal, July 28)
Veterans across the nation are waiting too long for the care they need, and some of them are dying while awaiting treatment.
Deal reached on VA reforms (POLITICO, July 27)
Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Jeff Miller have reached an agreement to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to an aide briefed on the matter.