Senator Lisa Murkowski, who plans to reintroduce FASD legislation with Senator Amy Klobuchar this spring, asked Xavier Becerra about FASD during the Senate’s consideration of the California Attorney General’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
The FASD United Policy team led by Susan Carlson worked with Senator Murkowski’s office to engage nominee Becerra on the importance of FASD.
If approved, Secretary Becerra would guide and manage the federal resources and agencies committed to the health and well-being of the nation, including the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A full Senate vote on Becerra’s nomination could occur as early as this week.
Senator Lisa Murkowski Question on FASD: I am concerned about the impacts to children from prenatal alcohol exposure and resulting Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), the most commonly known cause of developmental disabilities in the United States. Recent research shows alarming prevalence of up to 1 in 20 first graders in the United States having FASD.
Federal funding for FASD prevention and intervention has dropped from the 1998 authorized level of $27 million to only about $12 million in FY 2021, yet the need for these programs has accelerated, especially during the pandemic.
In Alaska, about 47,860 people are afflicted with FASD, including 2,950 with fetal alcohol syndrome. Estimates of the economic cost for FASD in Alaska alone are over $1 billion per year, and nationwide over $205 billion.
Senator Klobuchar and I will be re-introducing comprehensive legislation addressing this public health crisis, to authorize more funding to strengthen and expand FASD programs for prevention, identification, and FASD-informed interventions.
- If confirmed, how do you plan to tackle FASD?
- Can you commit to supporting our legislation?
Xavier Becerra Answer: The department is committed to strengthening evidence-based strategies to prevent prenatal alcohol exposure; improving identification, diagnosis, and referral for individuals living with FASDs; working with clinicians who care for children and families to optimize early identification and intervention; and exploring approaches for monitoring the number of children in the U.S. with an FASD. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you, Senator Klobuchar, and other Members of Congress on these efforts.
Update: Xavier Becerra was confirmed as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services on March 19, 2021.
