PI Action alerts & updates ... 1997

Fiscal Year 1998 Appropriations Update

The House/Senate Conference Committee has completed its work on funding levels for HIV/AIDS programs for Fiscal Year 1998. The appropriations bill must be approved by the full House and Senate and then sent to President Clinton for his signature or veto.

The final bill does contain some significant increases for HIV/AIDS programs. Most notably, the committee approved a $118.5 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). While the $118.5 million increase is significant, it does fall short of the $132 million identified as needed to bring state ADAPs to a MINIMUM level of service. We will keep you informed of continuing problems with state ADAPs and ways you can advocate at the state and federal level for increased funding.

The final appropriations bill also calls for a $439 million increase for the Ryan White CARE Act, a $17 million increase for HIV prevention programs, and a $105 million increase for AIDS research at the National Institutes of Health. If you are interested in a complete breakdown in HIV/AIDS funding, contact Project Inform’s policy department at TAN@projectinform.org or 415-558-8669.

The conference committee has also finalized an agreement on the needle exchange issue. The House appropriations bill contained an amendment which would have eliminated the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ authority to lift the ban on federal funding for needle exchange programs, while the Senate bill retained this authority.

The committee agreed to a provision which retains the Secretary’s authority but institutes a six month moratorium (until March 31, 1998) on using the authority. While it is good news that the issue has been removed from the appropriations process, it is important to continue communicating support for these life-saving programs to the Clinton Administration and to Congress. Look for upcoming TAN alerts for sample letters to send to these federal officials.

Finally, thank you to everyone who wrote, called and met with their elected representatives this year on these issues. These funding increases in a climate of decreased prioritization for health care spending is the result of sustained grassroots advocacy by individuals most affected by these programs!