AIDS groups say government plans to do little on HIV and AIDS in 2005 (13066)

The House of Representatives Labor-Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee last week began the process of determining funding levels for the nation's HIV and AIDS programs for fiscal 2005, which begins on October 1, 2004, and approved President Bush's plan for only small increases in some spending areas and virtually flat-funding most AIDS services. The subcommittee approved only a $35 million increase for the nation's cash-strapped AIDS Drug Assistance Programs despite calls from AIDS activists for a $217 million funding increase to avoid ADAP cutbacks nationwide. The subcommittee also approved a $3.3 million increase in funding for the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, only about 1.6% of the $206 million requested by AIDS groups. All other Ryan White CARE Act programs, which form the backbone of the nation's AIDS services community, were approved to be flat-funded at the fiscal 2004 level.

AIDS groups reacted with alarm to the proposal. San Francisco's Project Inform and the Treatment Action Network called the beginning of the appropriations process for AIDS programs "clearly a bad sign. We know far too well the devastating impact of silence on the fight against HIV/AIDS," the groups said in a press statement. "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. 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 Florida-based AIDS Institute also released a press statement criticizing the subcommittee's plan to flat-fund more HIV prevention and care programs for fiscal 2005.

The full House Appropriations Committee is expected to vote on funding levels on July 14. AIDS activists are urging all interested people to contact their representatives and senators to urge them to increase AIDS spending. House members can be reached at the congressional switchboard at (800) 839-5276. For a full list of House Appropriations Committee members, go online to https://appropriations.house.gov.