PI Action alerts & updates ... 1997
House / Senate Appropriations
Conference Committee Extends Debate
Calls in support of highest HIV/AIDS funding
and against needle exchange ban needed immediately!!
The Labor/HHS Appropriations Conference Committee, which is working
out differences between the House and Senate Appropriations bills,
failed to reach agreement by October 1, the first day of Fiscal
Year 1998. The committee passed a continuing resolution to continue
funding federal HIV/AIDS programs at current levels until October
23. However, the committee is meeting this week and is likely to
vote in the next few days.
The bills have major differences in HIV/AIDS funding—for
example, the House version proposes a $132 million increase for
the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, while the Senate bill offers an
inadequate $50 million increase. Also, the House version contains
a provision offered by Representatives Tom Coburn (R-OK), and Roger
Wicker (R-MS) that bans the use of federal funds for needle exchange
programs and takes away the authority of the Secretary of Health
and Human Services to end the current ban.
In addition, Rep. Coburn is circulating a congressional sign-on
letter in support of the $132 million for ADAP. This is an important
bi-partisan effort to secure much needed funding for this crucial
program, and we encourage you to contact your House member to sign
the letter. However, it is extremely important to stress the need
for the highest funding levels for the entire Ryan White CARE Act,
and all HIV/AIDS programs. The response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic
must continue to be comprehensive.
Many congressional staffers have noted the number of constituent
letters and calls they have received on these issues. Grassroots
advocacy is clearly having an impact on the debate and must continue.
Please take the time to place one last call to your U.S. Representative
and two U.S. Senators and ask them to urge the conference committee
to support the highest possible funding levels for all HIV/AIDS
programs and to oppose the House needle exchange provision! Use
the TOLL-FREE number listed below.
Action Needed:
Please call your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators immediately
with the following message:
Sample Phone Message
“I am calling to urge Representative/Senator _______________
to support the highest possible funding increases for all HIV/AIDS
programs in the Fiscal Year 1998 Labor/HHS Appropriations bill and
to oppose the House provision which bans the use of federal funds
for needle exchange programs. Please convey that message to the
Chairs and Ranking Members of the Conference Committee.”
You can reach the Congressional switchboard toll-free at 1-800-972-3524
and ask to be connected to your elected representatives.
Please distribute this Alert widely! If you have questions, contact
Ryan Clary.
