PI Action alerts & updates ... 2002
Be A Part of a National Grassroots Action!!!
Urge President Bush To Show Leadership on HIV/AIDS
On Monday, December 2, people around the country are being urged
to call President Bush and urge him to focus attention on the fight
against HIV/AIDS. This action is being organized by a coalition
of AIDS advocates, and will follow a protest in Washington on November
26, calling attention to the Bush Administration’s lack of
leadership on domestic and global AIDS funding and policies.
As you read these words, the Bush Administration is finalizing
its proposed budget for the next fiscal year. They need to hear
from those most affected by the epidemic that we expect adequate
funding for all HIV/AIDS programs, both domestic and global. You
can be a part of this effort by participating in this important
call-in action!
What you can do:
Please take a few minutes to call President Bush on December 2 and
let him know that we expect much more from him to fight the HIV/AIDS
pandemic. Our calls will show the Bush Administration that AIDS
must be a priority.
You can use the sample phone message to help you when planning
what to say. The most important thing is to be personal, and let
him know how much his leadership on HIV/AIDS issues affects you
and people you care about.
Contact information:
Call the White House comment line at 202-456-1414.
Sample Phone Message
“I am calling to urge President Bush to demonstrate
leadership in the fight against HIV and AIDS. I expect him to ask
Congress for increases to fully fund domestic and global HIV/AIDS
programs in his next budget.”
Background information:
In his first two years in office, President Bush has not demonstrated
that HIV/AIDS is priority. He has proposed highly inadequate funding
for HIV care, treatment, prevention, and housing programs.
His proposed contributions to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis,
and Malaria have fallen far below what is needed from the United
States to mount a serious battle against the international pandemic.
His Administration has failed to endorse the Early Treatment for
HIV Act, which would expand Medicaid eligibility to include low-income
people living with HIV.
The AIDS Drug Assistance Program is in a financial crisis, with
people in many states on waiting lists or enduring other limits
to treatment access.
Community-based prevention programs serving gay/bisexual men and
people of color have been targeted for time-consuming, cumbersome
audits, focusing time and resources away from implementing sound,
science-based prevention strategies.
Your voice is needed more than ever! Please take a few minutes
to make this important call!
