From: HRCFCOMM@aol.com Date: Thu, 27 Jul 1995 09:29:36 -0400 Subject: RYAN WHITE - NORA RELEASE ON AMENDMENTS ***************************************************************** NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS RESPONDING TO AIDS ***************************************************************** NORA SUPPORTS RYAN WHITE The national public health, religious, healthcare, childrens', and community service organizations listed on the reverse side of this page urge you to vote as indicated below on the following amendments to S.64 1, The Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization of 1995. The CARE Act provides essential, life sustaining medical and support services to more than 350,000 women, men and children living with HIV and AIDS in communities across America. AMENDMENT SPONSOR SUBJECT VOTE 1854 Helms PROHIBITION ON LOCAL CONTROL NO Restricts funds from being used for programs that provide life saving, mental health, counseling, and support services and accurate medical information. 1855 Helms FUNDING CAP NO Freezes Ryan White spending at FY '95 levels for five years despite rapidly growing case loads, cuts spending below level already approved by House Appropriations Committee and Senate Budget Committee. 1857 Helms FUNDING LEVEL RESTRICTIONS NO Fails to acknowledge the epidemic nature of AIDS and the amount of federal spending on other diseases through entitlement programs. 1856 Helms FEDERAL WORKPLACE TRAINING NO Undermines comprehensive AIDS training for all federal employees. 1860 Kassebaum Funding Equity YES Ensures that Congress considers all federal funds in ensuring equity in spending for cancer and AIDS 1858 Kassebaum RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDING YES Prohibits programs that promote all sexual activity or intravenous drug use but protects the delivery of essential medical and support services. MARY FISHER Action on the Ryan White CARE Act could prove that when America speaks of values, it includes predominantly the value of compassion; that when we take up questions of ethics, we are eager to demonstrate justice; and that when Congress takes up protection of the sick and dying, it does so knowing that all Americans are worthy of dignity. If 'Ryan White ' could be passed quickly, without devastating delays and dilution through hostile amendments, it would be a tremendous signal that compassion and justice and dignity are not partisan issues. JEANNE WHITE If Ryan were here, he would wonder why something that most people support can't just happen. Isn't that what good government is about? I think so. One thing's for sure, if the bill does not pass, or if it loses any of its funding already stretched too thin, a lot of people will die. In communities across this America, thousands of mothers embrace their children with AIDS, hoping that God will give them another year, another month, another day. Whether their children are 2, or 18, or 40, no parent can bear to lose a child For those mothers and for this mother -- looking for the faith to face the future -- I hope the Senate will hear our plea and act now to save the Ryan White CARE Act without damaging amendments.