Date: Fri, 14 Feb 97 18:46:31 EST From: "communications" Subject: HRC ACTION ALERT COLUMN (2/97): FEDERAL BUDGET IN CONGRESS ________________________________________________________ ACTION ALERT COLUMN from the Human Rights Campaign 1101 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 email: hrc@hrcusa.org WWW: http://www.hrcusa.org ________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997 ACTION NEEDED AS PRESIDENT'S BUDGET GOES TO CAPITOL Urge Congress to Support Increased Funding to Fight AIDS, Breast and Cervical Cancer As President Clinton's budget is now before Congress, your lawmakers need to hear from you immediately to support increased funding to fight HIV/AIDS, and breast and cervical cancer -- as well as to oppose any Medicaid caps or cuts. One serious problem with the budget is the president's plan to impose a "per-capita cap" on Medicaid spending. It could be devastating to thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS, and might limit their access to the new class of drugs that have improved and prolonged so many lives. The bipartisan National Governors Association and a bipartisan roster of senators have joined a chorus of groups opposed to such Medicaid caps. The president's budget calls for a $17 million increase for HIV/AIDS prevention, an approximately 3 percent increase over fiscal 1997 levels. States would decide how to spend this money. The president also requested an $8 million increase in the Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS program. This represents a 4 percent boost over fiscal 1997, when $196 million was appropriated for HOPWA. About 90 percent of these funds go directly to states and cities to provide housing for people with AIDS. In the area of care, the president asked for a $40 million increase above the $996.3 million appropriated last year. Of that increase, about $15 million would go to states under Title II of the Ryan White CARE Act, giving them the flexibility to earmark the funds for drugs. Title IIIB of Ryan White, which provides funds for direct services to people living with HIV and AIDS, would get also get an increase of $15 million, 22 percent above fiscal '97 levels. The president also asked for a 4 percent increase for AIDS-related research, for a total of approximately $1.54 billion. The budget also calls for a $2 million increase, to $142 million, in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's breast and cervical cancer early detection program. This program is gathering data on the incidence of these cancers among lesbians, a population believed to be at a higher risk than heterosexual women. ** ACT NOW ** Urge Congress to support increased funding for the federal effort to fight HIV/AIDS, as well as for the CDC's breast and cervical cancer early detection program. Also remind them to oppose any cuts or per-capita caps in Medicaid, which more than half of Americans with HIV/AIDS -- and 90 percent of children with the disease -- rely on for life-sustaining health care. Call your senators and representative through the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. If you aren't sure who your members of Congress are, just ask the switchboard operator and you will be informed and then connected. You can also send electronic messages to Congress through the Human Rights Campaign's Website at http://www.hrcusa.org. Write to Congress through the U.S. mail as well. Include your name and address, and send your politely worded letter to: The Honorable _______ The Honorable _______ U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 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. To join, call (800) 777-4723. - 30-