Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 17:24:23 -0500 From: HRCFCOMM@aol.com ***************************************************************** PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND The Nation's Largest Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Political Group ***************************************************************** To contact the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND, please call us at (202)628-4160, fax us at (202) 347-5323 or write to us at PO Box 1396 Washington, DC 20013. WE CANNOT RESPOND TO E-MAIL. ***************************************************************** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, FEB. 23, 1995 FIRST CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON AIDS: HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE SLASHES PROGRAMS ALREADY BUDGETED - Millions Could Be Lost for Treatment, Prevention and Housing - WASHINGTON -- In the first action on AIDS by the 104th Congress, a House subcommittees late last night voted to cut off funding already in the pipeline to states and cities for AIDS prevention and care programs. Local communities grappling with the epidemic stand to lose $36 million in federal assistance that many had planned to receive during the current fiscal year. Another subcommittee is considering the elimination of a program that provides housing for tens of thousands of low-income people with AIDS. The moves came as recently released figures showed AIDS to be the leading cause of death among all Americans aged 25-44. "You can't cut the deficit on the backs of people with AIDS," said Winnie Stachelberg, senior health policy advocate for the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF), the largest national lesbian and gay political organization. "Without these programs, more people will get sick and die. Tens of thousands of people stand to lose their homes. It's outrageous to propose such cuts in public health, while funding pork barrel projects like the $6 million visitors center in Oregon." In a late-night session that ended at 1:30 a.m., the appropriations subcommittee on Labor/Health and Human Services/Education voted to cut $13 million from the Ryan White CARE Act programs, which go directly to states and cities to care for people with AIDS. The same committee slashed $23 million from prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even though the programs are effectively stemming the spread of the disease. The appropriations subcommittee on Veterans Affairs/Housing and Urban Development is considering the total elimination of the $186 million Housing Opportunities for People With Aids (HOPWA) program, which provides assistance to people with AIDS who would otherwise lose their homes. "These cuts would pull out the rug from under communities that are counting on these funds. This will hit local communities hard," said Stachelberg. "This is no time to retreat on AIDS. The federal government has a responsibility to help states and cities address this national health crisis." Public opinion research shows broad public support for fighting HIV and AIDS. In a poll of voters in the November 1994 election, 78 percent supported "increasing efforts in AIDS research, prevention and care." The survey, conducted Nov. 8-9, 1994, by the independent firm Mellman Lazarus Lake, Inc., has a margin of error of +\- 3.5 percent. The Human Rights Campaign Fund works to end discrimination, secure equal rights, and protect the health and safety of all Americans. With a national staff, and volunteers and members throughout the country, HRCF lobbies the federal government on lesbian, gay, and AIDS issues; educates the general public; participates in election campaigns; organizes volunteers and provides expertise and training at the state and local level. - 30 - 1101 14th Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 phone:(202)628-4160 fax:(202) 347-5323