Tell Your Representative to Approve Critical Funding for HIV/AIDS Programs

The New Year has begun and new Democratic controlled 110^th Congress has the duty to finalize the FY 2007 appropriations bills left unfinished by the Republican controlled 109^th Congress. Funding for two key domestic and international AIDS programs, the Ryan White CARE Act and the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is at risk and we need your help.

Right now programs are being funded under a continuing resolution at FY 2006 levels. The new Congress has resolved to proceed with a "joint resolution" that would fund some programs at higher levels until the end of the fiscal year.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Please Approve Critical funding for HIV/AIDS Programs

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge you to support funding increases for two critically important domestic and international AIDS programs: the Ryan White CARE Act and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

As you are aware, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act (H.R. 6143) was recently reauthorized in December. I am asking you to support the following increases to FY 2007 CARE Act funding levels: $18.7 million for Title I, $70 million for Title II/base, and $25 million for Title III. The Title II/base and Title III increases are contained in the President's original budget and the Title I increase will fund five new jurisdictions - Baton Rouge, LA; Charlotte, NC; Indianapolis, IN; Memphis, TN; and Nashville, TN. This funding is needed to shore up the vital safety net function played by the CARE Act and safeguard the health and well-being of uninsured and underinsured Americans living with HIV/AIDS.

Additionally I urge you to support a proposed $1 billion increase for global AIDS, TB and malaria programs. Flat-funding these global AIDS programs such as PEPFAR means that AIDS treatment and prevention programs, as well as care for orphans and vulnerable children, will be stalled. It would seriously hinder our ability to respond to the 4.3 million new HIV infections that occurred worldwide last year, and our efforts to extend anti-retroviral treatment to an estimated 350,000 people in urgent need of medication. Level funding would be inadequate to provide medication for all who receive treatment through PEPFAR and the Global Fund. In addition, without additional resources, the U.S. global AIDS program will be forced to cut back on essential prevention and care programs.

Thank you in advance for helping ensure the health and well-being of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 11, 2007

Background Information

If the CARE Act remains funded at FY 2006 levels, it will be short the $18.8 million needed to support the 5 new Title I EMAs added by reauthorization to the existing 51 in the recently-passed bill. The Act will also be short the critical $70 million boost for the Title II base that was essential to the final negotiations reauthorizing the Act. Many of the new, state-based provisions in Title II rely on this funding and without it, a number of states looking for increases in funding, would instead lose significantly—threatening existing medical service infrastructures and the health and well-being of CARE Act clients. The Bush Administration provided $25 million for Title III in its FY07 budget and these resources would expand HIV medical access for people living with HIV/AIDS in rural and geographically isolated regions.

If PEPFAR remains funded at FY 2006 levels, it will be short about $1 billion necessary to extend treatment to about 350,000 people in urgent need. Without this new funding, which was proposed by the Senate Appropriations Committee, Global AIDS Coordinator, Mark Dybul, predicted this week that 100,000 people could die because PEPFAR will have to stop enrolling new individuals by February – just three weeks from now. This is unacceptable and we must call on Congress to provide these essential resources.