PI Action alerts & updates ... 2004

Fiscal Year 2005 Appropriations Off To A Bad Start

House Labor-HHS Subcommittee Fails On Domestic AIDS Funding
On Wednesday, July 7, the House of Representative’s Labor-HHS

Appropriations Subcommittee started the process of determining funding levels for HIV/AIDS programs for Fiscal Year 2005 (October 1, 2004–September 30, 2005).

Demonstrating a complete lack of leadership, the subcommittee approved President Bush’s highly inadequate proposed funding levels for HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs. Other than a small increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)—$35 million compared to the $217 million increase needed—the subcommittee voted for no increases for care, treatment and support services in the Ryan White CARE Act. The subcommittee also voted for a very modest $3.3 million increase for the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative (compared to a $206 million increase requested by the community).

In addition, no member of the subcommittee from either party mentioned HIV/AIDS. In what can only be seen as a significant departure from past actions, there was no amendment offered in support of the community’s requested funding levels.

While this is just the start of the process, it is clearly a bad sign. We know far too well the devastating impact of silence on the fight against HIV/AIDS. We need champions who will demonstrate leadership and talk about the AIDS crisis-everything from ADAP waiting lists to cities receiving major cuts in Title I money affecting care services.

This lack of action by the subcommittee comes at the same time a newly issued report shows the fastest rising rates of HIV infection among American women, and states around the country are threatening cuts to their health care programs. Meanwhile, Americans are suffering unprecedented rates of insurance loss and limitations. Failing to provide adequate funding for the Ryan White CARE Act means a continued erosion of the safety net for thousand of low-income people with HIV/AIDS around the country.

The full House Appropriations Committee is expected to vote on funding levels on Wednesday, July 14. This gives us an opportunity to demand that our elected representatives contact members of this committee in support of increased funding.

Please take a few minutes to call your House Representative and urge them to take action. People’s lives depend on it.

What you can do:
Call your U.S. Representative’s office in Washington, DC. Ask to speak to the staffperson who handles HIV/AIDS and healthcare issues. Whether you talk in person or leave a message, tell him/her:

Sample message:

“I am a constituent of Representative __________. I am extremely concerned by the inadequate funding levels for HIV/AIDS programs approved by the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee. I am further disturbed that not one word was mentioned about HIV/AIDS during the process. I urge Representative ___________ to contact members of the full Appropriations Committee and ask them to increase funding for AIDS programs and, at a minimum, to talk about AIDS and remind the committee that leadership is needed to fight the epidemic.”

You can reach your Representative by calling the Congressional switchboard toll-free at 1-800-839-5276. Ask to be connected to your Representative’s office. You’ll need to know who your Representative is in advance. If you don’t know who represents you, go to www.vote-smart.org.

You can view a list of the House Appropriations Committee members here.

If your Representative is on this committee, it is particularly important that you contact him/her and ask for leadership!

Thank you for your quick response to this Alert!