From: Hrccomm@aol.com Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 18:56:31 -0500 Subject: President Proposes Modest Increases in Federal Efforts for HIV/AIDS ________________________________________________________ NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign 1101 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 email: communications@hrcusa.org WWW: http://www.hrcusa.org ________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 19, 1996 PRESIDENT PROPOSES MODEST INCREASES IN FEDERAL EFFORTS FOR HIV/AIDS RESEARCH, PREVENTION AND CARE Concern Remains Over Medicaid Cuts FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT http://www.hrcusa.org WASHINGTON -- The Clinton Administration's budget for the federal government in fiscal year 1997 proposes increases totaling $97 million for HIV/AIDS research, prevention and care -- a 3 percent rise over current levels. "AIDS affects every American," said Winnie Stachelberg, Senior Health Policy Advocate for the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian and gay political organization. "The need for research, prevention, care and housing is as urgent as ever, and the federal government has an important role to play. We believe that this budget reflects the president's commitment to fighting this epidemic." Clinton's budget would increase research programs in the National Institutes of Health by 2 percent, from $1.408 billion to $1.431 billion. Prevention programs at the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would increase 6 percent, from $583.4 million to $617 million. Treatment and care programs under the Ryan White CARE Act would increase 4 percent, from $775.4 million to $807.4 million. Stachelberg expressed disappointment that funding would not increase for Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS, which would remain at $171 million, as would spending for CDC's breast and cervical cancer screening programs at a level of $45 million. Lesbians are among the Americans at higher risk for these types of cancer. Another area of concern is Medicaid, which the president proposes cutting by $59 billion over the next seven years. Nearly half of all people with AIDS rely on Medicaid for essential medical care -- including 90 percent of children with the disease. "While these cuts are less draconian than other proposals being considered, they nonetheless threaten to jeopardize people living with AIDS," noted Stachelberg. "Efforts to battle AIDS are effective -- but not without money and leadership" said Stachelberg, who also serves for HRC as co-chair of the National Organizations Responding to AIDS (NORA) Coalition. She pointed to a Feb. 2 report by CDC indicating that prevention programs have helped stabilize the rate of HIV infection. Still, the report found that some 40,000 Americans are infected with HIV each year, that young adults and people of color remain particularly vulnerable, and that AIDS remains the leading cause of death among all Americans ages 25 to 44. "Americans recognize that this national epidemic requires a strong national response," added Stachelberg. "That response is having an effect, and -- even as we drive for fiscal responsibility -- we must not cut and run from our commitment to America's men, women and children with HIV/AIDS." In the last session of Congress, the Human Rights Campaign and its coalition partners successfully fought congressional attempts to slash AIDS funding. As part of that drive, HRC commissioned and released a bipartisan poll demonstrating that a majority of Americans of all political stripes support maintaining or increasing AIDS research, prevention and care. The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization, with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that lesbian and gay Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. - 30 -