Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 09:09:24 -0400 From: Mary Ann Murphy Following is this month's sample letter on HIV/AIDS. It is for members on the House of Representatives. The sample letter for your US Representatives. If you do send a letter, make a phone call or send an E-mail message on this issue please let us know. We need to know whether our efforts are effective. August 12, 1995 The Hon. The U. S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative I am a writing to urge you to sign on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 1872, the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. H.R. 1872, co-sponsored by Representatives Bliley and Dingell, was reported out of the House Commerce Committee on a bipartisan unanimous vote. The CARE Act must be reauthorized quickly so that this critical program will continue to provide vital services for AIDS prevention and the care of persons with AIDS. The CARE Act funds medical services, support services, community based clinics, and innovative health care delivery systems for persons living with AIDS. In addition it empowers local communities to decide how dollars should be spent. It funds a clearly cost effective set of programs which not only prevent new cases of HIV disease/AIDS, but also reduce costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Because of the CARE Act persons with HIV disease are now living longer and more productive lives. Now, more than ever, we need the CARE Act. AIDS is the number one cause of death among all Americans age 25-44. This is no time for a retreat in the prevention of and the fight against AIDS. In 1990 Congress put aside its partisan interests and passed the Ryan White Care Act by nearly unanimous votes in both the House and Senate. The CARE Act is a nonpartisan response to a national health crisis. I urge you to co- sponsor H.R. 1872, as well as to advocate and vote for a swift reauthorization of this critical national program. Very truly yours,