PI Action alerts & updates ... 2002
Emergency Funding for
AIDS Drug Assistance Program and Global AIDS Fund
June 4, 2002 — As reported in last week’s TAN Alert,
the U.S. Senate is debating an emergency supplemental appropriations
bill, intended to provide additional money for programs not approved
in last year’s budget. While this bill is primarily intended
to fund programs related to the war on terrorism and homeland security,
Members of Congress can attempt to add other funding proposals as
amendments. There have been efforts to secure emergency funding
for both the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis,
and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Refer to the 5/22 TAN Alert,
or read it on Project Inform’s website, for more information
about these programs and the background on these advocacy efforts.
The Senate has started debating this bill. While there has been
a major grassroots effort to identify a U.S. Senator willing to
offer an amendment in support of an $82 million emergency supplemental
for ADAP, so far none has agreed to do so. Without such a champion,
there will be no debate or vote on the issue. We are recommending
that everyone call their two U.S. Senators’ office in Washington,
DC Ask to speak to the legislative aide who handles HIV/AIDS and
health issues. Whether you leave a message or talk to the aide personally,
let them know that you are a constituent and that you would like
the Senator to offer an amendment for an $82 million emergency supplemental
appropriation for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program as part of the
defense supplemental appropriations bill.
Let them know that many ADAPs nationwide are experiencing severe
financial difficulties and the result is limits in access to treatment
for people living with HIV. Even if we do not succeed with an emergency
supplemental, we will have done an excellent job educating our Senators
about the emergency situation in ADAP and will let them know that
they have a constituency that cares. They will remember that when
they consider regular appropriations later this year, and you will
have started developing a relationship with their DC office.
There are also efforts to get a substantial emergency supplemental
for the Global AIDS Fund to help fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic internationally.
The House of Representatives has offered $200 million in emergency
funding. The Senate Appropriations Committee offered $100 million.
Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) plan to
offer an amendment on the Senate floor asking for a $700 emergency
appropriation for this Fund. When you contact your U.S. Senators’
offices to talk about ADAP, you are encouraged to also ask them
to support the Durbin/Frist amendment to the emergency supplemental
appropriations bill that would provide $700 million in additional
funding for the Global AIDS Fund.
You can reach your U.S. Senators through the Capitol Switchboard
at 202-224-3121.
Emails are not encouraged, as they will very likely not be read
in time to make a difference. Please consider taking a few minutes
to place these two important phone calls. Ask your friends and family
to do the same!
