PI Action alerts & updates ... 2002

Help Stop Harmful Action That Would
Take Money From AIDS Housing
To Fund AIDS Drug Assistance Program

Representative Dave Weldon (R-Florida) has announced that he will offer an amendment very soon (as early as tomorrow) to H.R. 3995, the Housing Affordability for America Act of 2002. This amendment would allow states and localities to use federal funds provided by the Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA) program to fund the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). In other words, it would take money used to provide housing support to pay for treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.

ADAP is an extremely important program that provides access to treatment for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS who are uninsured or without adequate prescription drug coverage. The program is facing a funding crisis, with many ADAPs unable to serve all who need them, and Congress must address this issue.

However, taking money from another important program like HOPWA is not the answer. This program has been under-funded for years and many low-income people with HIV rely on it to obtain affordable housing. Stable housing plays a major role in helping people with HIV adhere to challenging HIV treatment regimens and maintain overall health.

Please take a moment to call your U.S. Representative and ask him/her to oppose this misguided and harmful amendment.

What you can do:
Call your U.S. Representative’s DC office immediately and tell whoever answers the phone:

“I am a constituent and I urge Representative ______________ to oppose Representative Weldon’s amendment to H.R. 3995 which would transfer money from AIDS housing programs into the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. I strongly urge Representative _______________ to support adequate funding for both of these important programs.”

Contact information:
You can reach your Representative through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121.