PI Action alerts & updates ... 2002
Senate Begins Fiscal Year 2003 Appropriations Process Early
Urge your Senators to Support $162 Million for ADAP
and Highest Levels for All HIV/AIDS Programs
The Senate Appropriations Committee voted this week on funding
levels for HIV/AIDS care, treatment, prevention, and research programs
for Fiscal Year 2003. This action happened much earlier than expected,
as both the Senate and the House of Representatives were expected
to start the appropriations process in September. The House is now
expected to begin its process in early September.
The entire list of funding levels is not yet available. However,
we have learned that the Committee has approved a $100 million increase
for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAP provides access
to treatment for low-income people living with HIV who are uninsured
or without adequate prescription drug coverage.
While this increase is badly needed and significant, it falls short
of the $162 million needed to help state ADAPs provide an adequate
level of service. As reported in past TAN Alerts, many state ADAPs
are facing major financial crises and have implemented limits to
treatment access, including waiting lists. It is very important
to advocate for the $162 million increase as hard as we can.
It is likely that the full Senate will vote on the appropriations
bill before going on recess in August. While it is difficult for
funding levels approved by the Committee to be increased on the
Senate floor, it is not impossible. A Senator will need to offer
an amendment to the bill proposing an increase for a particular
program, like ADAP.
Please take a few minutes to call your two U.S. Senators and urge
them to take the lead in fighting for a $162 million increase for
ADAP and adequate funding for all HIV/AIDS programs.
How you can help:
Call the DC offices of your two U.S. Senators as soon as possible.
Emails are not advised given the short time frame.
Tell whoever answers the phone:
“I am calling to urge Senator ____________
to take a leadership role in securing a $162 million increase for
the AIDS Drug Assistance Program in the Fiscal Year 2003 Labor-HHS
Appropriations bill. This is the amount needed to provide adequate
treatment access for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS. I also
ask that Senator ___________ fight for adequate funding for all
HIV/AIDS programs.”
Contact information:
You can reach your U.S. Senators through the Capitol Switchboard
at 202-224-3121.
Look for Alerts in the coming weeks about other advocacy efforts
during the August recess and in September when the House begins
its appropriations process.
Please forward this Alert to your friends, family, colleagues,
etc. and ask them to take action!
