PI Action alerts & updates ... 2006

PI ACTION ALERT:
Urge Your Reps To Support Full Funding
For the Ryan White CARE Act

November 13, 2006

Congress is returning to Washington for a few more weeks of work before the end of the year. This is called a "lame duck" session in which all current Members of Congress finish their work before the new Congress takes over in January.

Among the bills that leaders in Congress hope to pass during this session are the nine spending bills for Fiscal Year 2007, including the one that funds HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs. While both the House of Representatives and Senate have recommended increases for the Ryan White CARE Act, they fall well short of what is needed to provide adequate care, treatment, and support services for low-income people with HIV. Meanwhile, waiting lists for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and health care programs continue in several states.

In addition, if Congress were to give the CARE Act the money it needs, we wouldn't need a reauthorization bill that takes money and care from people with HIV in one area to give to those in another area.

Please take a few minutes to call your Representative and Senators and tell them to fight for full funding for the CARE Act. Whether they are leaving Congress or staying, this is their chance to do help improve the lives of people with HIV around the country.

How you can help
Call the Washington, DC office of your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators. Ask to speak to the staffperson who handles HIV and healthcare issues. Whether you talk to them in person or leave a voicemail, tell them:

"My name is ____________ and I live in (city/state). I urge Representative/Senator ___________to fight for full funding for the Ryan White CARE Act in the final Fiscal Year 2007 appropriations bill. The CARE Act funds care and treatment services for low-income people with HIV around the country. People are on waiting lists for these services in many states. Please do everything you can to get the money needed for these programs."

If you have time in your conversation, or can follow up with an email, please let the staffperson know the specific increase that is requested for each section/Title of the CARE Act: $184 million increase for Title I, $73 million increase for Title II, $197 million increase for ADAP, $77 million increase for Title III, $41 million increase for Title IV, $15 million increase for AIDS Education and Training Centers, $6 million increase for Dental.

You can call your Representative and Senators toll-free at 1-866-340-9821. You will get the Capitol switchboard. Ask to be connected to your Senator/Representative's office. Thank you for taking the time to make a difference!