PI Action alerts & updates ... 1996

104TH Congress and HIV/AIDS

Hundreds of Advocates Converge on Nation’s Capitol for AIDSWATCH ’96

On May 19–21, over 400 AIDS advocates participated in AIDSWATCH ’96, the only constituent-based national HIV/AIDS lobby days. After a half-day briefing on key issues and training on effective lobbying, participants spent the next two days meeting with their elected representatives and their staff to advocate for increased funding for research, care, prevention, and housing programs. Participants this year were a strong and diverse group. At least six participants were under the age of 16. As always, this was the first lobbying experience for many of this year’s participants.

This year, participants used a particularly effective lobbying mechanism, asking their representatives to sign a bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letter written by Representatives Gerry Studds (D-MA) and Connie Morella (R-MD) that calls for increases in AIDS funding. So far, 102 members have signed the letter that urges increases in research, care, and prevention, and 94 members have signed on to increases in the AIDS housing program.

This year, the planning and organizing of AIDSWATCH was divided into a regional coordinator system. Several advocates from around the country served as regional coordinators by recruiting participants from their area, scheduling congressional meetings, and overseeing facilitation of meetings from their regions. Our thanks to the following active regional coordinators: Paul Hoffman (Arizona), Randy Allgaier (Northern California), Jean Michel Brevelle (Southern California), Matt Patrick (Colorado), Steve Gavron and Pearl Kane (Connecticut), Steve Johnson and Paul Chase (Indiana), Bob Tracey (Minnesota), Eric Enderlin (New Jersey), Jeremy Landau (New Mexico), Andy Stern and Ed Galloway (New York), Craig Ferguson (Ohio), Nancy Marks (Massachusetts), Bill Skeen (Florida), Carolyn Parker (Texas), Steve Johnson (Washington), Anna Lamberti (Illinois), Kate Krauss (Delaware), and ACT UP/Philadelphia (Pennsylvania). If you are interested in participating as a regional coordinator for next year’s AIDSWATCH for a state that isn’t represented, or if you are from one of the above states and would like to contact the regional coordinator to find out about grassroots efforts in that state, please call Ryan Clary at 415-558-8669.

It is also not too early to start thinking about being a participant in next year’s AIDSWATCH, tentatively scheduled for the last week of April. With enough time to plan, you can explore various options of obtaining funds to attend this crucial event.

Ryan White CARE Act Finally Reauthorized
On May 20th, President Clinton signed the Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization bill after a long process to renew the legislation. The program is now authorized for another five years Congratulations to all advocates who worked so hard on reauthorizing this lifesaving program!

Unfortunately, the final version of the bill contains a compromise provision on the issue of HIV testing of pregnant women and newborns that could potentially lead to mandatory testing programs. The provision requires states to reduce the number of pediatric AIDS cases by 50% or have knowledge of the HIV status of 95% of pregnant women who have sought prenatal care in all private and public hospitals in clinics. If states fail to meet those requirements, they may be forced to implement mandatory testing programs or else risk losing their Title II funding.

Renewed Medicaid Battle Set to Begin
House Republicans recently introduced their new Medicaid “reform” legislation. Last year, Congress approved a budget plan that called for Medicaid cuts of $182 billion over seven years. That plan was vetoed by President Clinton.

This year, the new Republican budget plan proposes a reduction of $72 billion in the Medicaid program over six years. Each state would be given a flat dollar amount, with an emergency “rainy day” fund. This mechanism will not assure that funding will be adequate to cover every eligible person. The bill also allows states to lower their current contribution and still be eligible to receive matching federal monies for the program. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, if states spend only the new minimum to obtain the federal match, the combined federal and state dollar loss to Medicaid nationwide would be $250 billion.

In addition, the legislation contains many of the same unacceptable provisions as last year’s bill, including no guarantee of eligibility, unclear definitions of disability, and loss of the federal right to sue to protect consumer rights. The House leadership plans to combine this proposal with its welfare reform bill and to send the legislation to the President before the July 4th weekend.

Action Needed:
While it is expected that the President will continue to oppose (and veto) any legislation that contains deep cuts in Medicaid spending and that undermines the entitlement status of the program, it is important to continue encouraging him to protect Medicaid for people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. Call President Clinton at 202-456-1111, FAX 202-456-2461, or email president@whitehouse.gov.

States Acting to Regulate HMO Practices
According to the Gay Men’s Health Crisis Public Policy Department, over the last 18 months, at least 34 states have outlawed or curtailed methods that many Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) have used to shorten hospital stays, discipline physicians, or keep patients in the dark about managed care. 400 managed care bills have been introduced in state legislatures this year. The most sweeping attacks have been aimed at the economic incentives and penalties directed at doctors to reverse so-called excessive testing and referral to specialists.

At least 27 states have recently enacted laws limiting practices that second-guess doctors or withhold payment for certain types of care. 14 states have barred insurers from refusing to pay for what may later be determined to be “unnecessary” emergency room visits, and 12 states guarantee a patient’s right to go directly to certain specialists.

Voter Registration Working Group Convening
Some of this year’s AIDSWATCH regional coordinators will continue to meet via conference call to coordinate an aggressive plan for voter registration and education. While non-profit organizations can not endorse specific candidates, we can participate in efforts to educate the public about the importance of voting in this year’s election can provide information on an elected official’s voting record on HIV/AIDS issues.

If you would like more information about voter registration efforts, please contact Ryan Clary at 415-558-8669.