PI Action alerts & updates ... 1999

Write Your Representatives in Support of
Increased Federal HIV/AIDS Funding!

Congress has recently adjourned for its August recess. When Congress returns, it will start the process of determining funding levels for HIV/AIDS care and treatment, research, and prevention programs for Fiscal Year 2000 (October 1, 1999-September 30, 2000).

This procedure, called the appropriations process, starts with small committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate, then moves to larger committees before the entire House and Senate vote on the funding levels. After that, a joint House/Senate conference committee is formed to work out differences between the two bills. The final product is voted on by the full House and Senate and then sent to the President for his signature or veto.

This year’s fight for increased funding is expected to be difficult because of “caps,” or limits, on discretionary spending, mandated by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Discretionary spending is the amount of money that Congress is allowed to allocate to programs for one year.

One proposal under consideration would cut $10 billion from health and human services programs, which includes HIV/AIDS care, research and prevention programs. In addition, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs/Housing and Urban Development recently voted to cut $10 million from the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, a sign of the upcoming battle for adequate funding for all HIV/AIDS programs.

In light of recent news that the budget surplus is much higher than expected, there is movement by advocates and some members of Congress to raise the spending caps for the next fiscal year, thereby allowing more money to be put in important programs. These caps must be raised so that critical HIV/AIDS programs can attempt to meet growing demand.

Our elected officials must hear from those who would be affected by inadequate funding for these health programs. You can play a role in these advocacy efforts by calling or writing your federal representatives and urging them to support the highest possible increases for all HIV/AIDS care/treatment, research, prevention, and housing programs.

Action Needed
By August 27, 1999, write your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators. Urge them to:

Lift the current caps on discretionary spending, and
Support the highest possible increases for all HIV/AIDS care/treatment, research, and prevention programs.

Be sure to personalize your statement to let them know how their action on this issue would affect you or someone you care about. You can use the sample letter included on the back of this TAN Alert to help craft your message.

Sample Letter for the Early Treatment for HIV Act

The Honorable ______________
U.S. House of Representatives / U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515 (for house) 20510 (for Senate)

Dear Representative/Senator ________________

I am writing to urge you to support adequate funding for all HIV/AIDS care/ treatment, research, prevention, and housing programs in the Fiscal Year 2000 appropriations bill. Specifically, I am asking you to support lifting the current caps on discretionary spending and to vote for the highest possible increases for all HIV/AIDS programs.

Insert a short personal note here. Explain if you or someone you care about depends on federally-funded HIV/AIDS programs, such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. You can also discuss how other HIV/AIDS programs have made a difference in your life or that of someone you know.

In light of recent news that the budget surplus is much higher than expected, Congress should raise the spending caps for the next fiscal year. These caps must be raised so that critical HIV/AIDS programs and other vital health care services can attempt to meet growing demand.

Please do everything in your power to ensure that these programs are adequately funded.

Sincerely,
Your name

Federal Legislative Update
H.R. 1591
Representative Nancy Pelosi has recently introduced H.R. 1591, The Early Treatment for HIV Act. This bill would expand Medicaid coverage to include asymptomatic, HIV-positive, low-income individuals who meet the income and asset criteria for Medicaid programs. The legislation currently has 66 co-sponsors and is waiting to be debated by the House Commerce Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.

Thank you to everyone who wrote and called your Representatives and asked them to co-sponsor this legislation! If you want to know if your Representative is a co-sponsor, contact Ryan Clary at 415-558-8669 x224 or tan@projectinform.org.

S. 331
After a long delay, S. 331, The Work Incentives Improvement Act, was approved by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 99-0. This bill would provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities—including HIV/AIDS—to enter, return to, or stay in the workforce without losing their health care coverage. The companion bill in the House of Representatives is waiting to be debated by the House Ways and Means Committee.

We may need another strong grassroots effort to ensure that the bill is passed by the House and goes to the President, who has indicated that he will sign the legislation. Stay tuned for future TAN Alerts on this issue.

ACTION TIP
What About Scheduling District Visits?
August is great time to meet with your federal elected officials, as they are on recess and typically available in their district offices. Personal meetings are one of the most effective ways of influencing legislators. A meeting allows people to put a human face on the epidemic and talk about the real needs in the district.

If you would like a comprehensive discussion sheet with hints on having a successful legislative meeting, call Ryan Clary at 415-558-8669 x224 or email TAN@projectinform.org.