Emily Keller-O'Donnell, Journalist

Gov. Cuomo Releases 2012-13 Budget

    Advocates for people with disabilities are having mixed reactions to the New York State Executive Budget for 2012-13, released by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on January 17th.

    The Center for Disability Rights, Inc. (CDR) issued a statement supporting the budget’s proposed reinvestment of Medicaid savings from hospital and nursing home closures or bed de-certifications toward housing but specified that the funds should support inclusive housing.

Changes Proposed to the Definition of Autism

    A panel appointed by the American Psychiatric Association has proposed changes to the definition of autism that advocates fear could curtail heightening rates of autism diagnoses and make it more difficult to receive treatment.

    The proposal comes as part of an update to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) for its upcoming fifth edition.

    The proposed changes would compress Asperger’s syndrome, “pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified” (PDD-NOS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) into one group.

House of Representatives Votes Against CLASS Act

    The U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the Community Living Assistance Service and Support (CLASS) Act but the bill remains in limbo. 

    The CLASS Act, a long-term care insurance program that is part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was intended to provide payment assistance for people who develop physical disabilities to live independently.