Got this from message from one of the several ADD Egroups I belong to.
The National Resource Center on AD/HD (NRC) is
A Program of CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), was established in 2002 to be the national clearinghouse for the latest evidence-based information on AD/HD. The NRC provides comprehensive information and support to individuals with AD/HD, their families and friends, and the professionals involved in their lives.
among other things they have information specialists to answer phone calls on ADHD, and an ADD library in their Washington DC headquarters.
Here’s the link to the amendment announcement on Senator Tom Harkin’s website
The President’s proposed FY07 Budget funds the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education and Labor $7 billion less than two years ago, threatening initiatives that keep America competitive and provide a basic safety net for our most vulnerable citizens. The Harkin-Specter amendment would add $7 billion to these departments, restoring funding to the FY05 levels.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH: The President’s budget cuts funding for 18 of the 19 institutes at NIH.
One of those institutes is the Center for Disease Control which in turn funds the US National Center Resource Center on AD/HD
Here’s the complete email. I talked to Paul from CHADD today and hopefully they’ll put up something on their website soon. If you live in America and have ADD or have a friend or a relative with ADD why not take a few minutes out of your day and make a call? The more citizens that contact politicians on an specific issue, they more likely they’ll respond.
From: “CHADD National”
Subject: Key Senate Vote on Budget Imminent--Call Your Senators
BACKGROUND
This week, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the Budget Resolution, which sets the overall funding allocations for all federal spending. As currently drafted, the Senate Budget Resolution CUTS funding for medical research and public health programs, which could result in the elimination of the National Resource Center AD/HD. While this is a very serious situation, there is a glimmer of hope. Possibly as soon as TOMORROW, the Senate will vote on an amendment to the Budget Resolution offered by Senator Specter (R-PA) and Senator Harkin (D-IA). The SPECTER-HARKIN amendment will increase funding for all health and education programs by $7 billion.
The only way to GUARANTEE that the National Resource Center on AD/HD and other health research and programs are saved from cuts and receive necessary increases in FY 2007 is for the Senate to pass the SPECTER-HARKIN Amendment.
The bottom line is simple -- if the Budget Resolution CUTS the allocations for medical research and public health programs, medical research and public health programs will be CUT.
ACTION NEEDED
We need you to speak for the millions of Americans with AD/HD by calling your Senators TODAY and telling them to SUPPORT the SPECTER-HARKIN amendment.
Tell your legislators:
When the Budget Resolution is considered in the Senate this week, ask them to oppose cuts to medical research and public health and stand with you, their constituent, in support of our efforts to increase funding for medical research and public health programs. Request that they vote FOR the SPECTER-HARKIN amendment to increase funding for health and education by $7 billion.
* Please call 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators (you will have to do one at a time).
* Once connected to the office, ask to speak with the legislative assistant that handles health care issues.
* Share with them the information above and share why programs like the AD/HD Resource Center are important to you, their constituent.
* Ask for a commitment from them to support the SPECTER-HARKIN amendment and any/every effort to increase funding for medical research and health programs.
*Finally, let them know you will be following the budget process closely and ask them to keep you up to date on what actions they take.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
All the people that are making tons of money from the new money opportunity, ADD, Inc. (i.e., ADD book writers, therapists and drug companies) , need to help fund CHADD, so that the many children and adults who suffer from AD/HD can get reliable information on how to get assistance. There are lots of people who are unable to get help. The so-called professionals in the mental health community need to get serious if they truly want to be of service.
I think that the people benefitting from CHADD and the National Center Resource Center on ADHD should also fund them too, i.e., people with ADD.
I’m not sure there’s a lot of people making tons of money of ADD other than the drug companies. Most people who are making a living helping people with ADD are usually doing it not only for the money but to make a difference in this community. There are a lot more lucrative markets out there than ADDers. Some doctors don’t even diagnose ADD because it takes more time than they get paid for doing it.