Final Decisions Being Made on ADAP Funding
Please call your Representative/Senators one last time to save ADAP!

Thank you again to everyone who has helped try to save ADAP this year by calling, writing, and meeting with your Members of Congress about this important issue! As you know from our last update, the Senate voted against the Schumer amendment, which would have provided a substantial increase for ADAP and other Ryan White CARE Act programs.

We are now at the end of the appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2004, and there is a final opportunity to encourage Congress to pass the highest possible increase for ADAP. Because the House of Representatives and the Senate proposed different increases for ADAP, a joint House/Senate "conference committee" will come together to work out differences.

The amounts passed by the Senate and House are extremely inadequate. The House has proposed a $39 million increase, while the Senate voted for a $25 million increase. Both amounts are far below the $215 million increase identified by AIDS treatment experts as needed to alleviate the current ADAP crisis.

Once again, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is taking the lead on fighting for people with HIV by authoring a "Dear Colleague" to the conference committee. The letter asks for increases for the entire Ryan White CARE Act, including an additional $214.8 million increase for ADAP, at the levels included in his amendment.

This letter provides another chance for Senators to do the right thing and fight for funding needed for vital care and treatment programs for people with HIV/AIDS.

In addition, House Representatives need to be asked to convey their support for adequate ADAP funding to the conference committee members. Key members of that committee need to hear from people around the country that their leadership is needed to alleviate the treatment access crisis. Please take a few minutes this week to make some important phone calls.

What you can do:

There are several phone calls you can make this week to make a difference. A toll-free number is included below, so there is no cost to you. Please make as many of these calls as possible!

1. Call your two U.S. Senators' D.C. office. Ask to speak to the legislative aide who handles HIV/AIDS and healthcare issues. If your Senator voted in favor of the Schumer Amendment (see list below), thank him/her for his vote and ask that the Senator sign Senator Schumer's "Dear Colleague" letter.

If your Senator voted against the Schumer amendment, express your disappointment in that vote and let them know that you expect them to sign Senator Schumer's letter. If you are in one of the ADAP crisis states, and your Senator voted no, ask how he/she can justify turning their back on their constituents who are facing barriers to treatment access.

2. Call your U.S. Representative's D.C. office and ask to speak to the legislative aide who handles HIV/AIDS and healthcare issues. Identify yourself as a constituent and let them know that you urge your Representative to ask the Labor-HHS appropriations conference committee to support a $215 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, the amount needed to alleviate the current fiscal crisis.

3. Call the following key members of the conference committee (toll-free number below):

Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA)
Chair of Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Ranking Member, Senate Labor HHS Appropriations Subcommittee

Representative Ralph Regula (R-OH)
Chair of House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee

Representative David Obey (D-WI)
Ranking Member, House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee

Unless you are a constituent, do not ask for a legislative aide, but leave the following message with the person who answers the phone:

"I am calling to urge Senator/Representative____________ to support adequate funding for HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs, including a $215 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Senator/Representative_______________ is making decisions in conference committee that affect people with HIV across the country and should support the funding increase needed to ensure that all Americans have access to lifesaving treatment."

Contact information:

You can call your Representative and Senators toll-free by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 1-800-648-3516. You'll need to know their names and ask to be transferred. Don't know who your Senators/Representatives are? Go to www.vote-smart.org for help.

Senate Roll-Call Vote on Schumer Amendment

**indicates member of Conference Committee

Alabama - ADAP Crisis State (107 on waiting list)
**Senator Richard C. Shelby (R- AL) - Voted No
p: 202-224-5744 / f: 202-224-3416
Senator Jeff Sessions (R- AL) - Voted No
p: 202-224-4124 / f: 202-224-3149

Alaska - ADAP Crisis State
**Senator Ted Stevens (R- AK) - Voted No
p: 202-224-3004 / f: 202-224-2354
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R- AK) - Voted No
p: 202-224-6665 f: 202-224-5301

Arizona
Senator John McCain (R- AZ) - Voted No
p: 202-224-2235 / f: 202-228-2862
Senator Jon Kyl (R- AZ) - Voted No
p: 202-224-4521 / f: 202-224-2207

Arkansas - ADAP Crisis State
Senator Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D- AR) - Voted Yes
p: 202-224-4843 / f: 202-228-1371
Senator Mark Pryor (D- AR) - Voted Yes
p: 202-224-2353 / f: 202-228-0908

California
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D- CA) - Voted Yes
p: 202-224-3841 / f: 202-228-3954
Senator Barbara Boxer (D- CA) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-3553 / f: 415-956-6701

Colorado - ADAP Crisis State (80 on waiting list)
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R- CO) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5852 / f: 202-228-4609
Senator Wayne Allard (R- CO) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5941 / f: 202-224-6471

Connecticut
Senator Christopher J. Dodd (D- CT) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-2823 / f: 202-224-1083
Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (D- CT) - Did not vote
P: 202-224-4041 / f: 202-224-9750

Delaware
Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D- DE) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5042 / f: 202-224-0139
Senator Thomas R. Carper (D- DE) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2441 / f: 202-228-2190

Florida
Senator Bob Graham (D- FL) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-3041 / f: 202-224-2237
Senator Bill Nelson (D- FL) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5274 / f: 202-228-2183

Georgia - ADAP Crisis State
Senator Zell Miller (D- GA) - Voted No
P: 202-224-3643 / f: 202-228-2090
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R- GA) - Voted No
p: 202-224-3521 / f: 202-224-0103

Hawaii
**Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D- HI) - Voted Yes
p: 202-224-3934 / f: 202-224-6747
Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D- HI) - Voted Yes
p: 202-224-6361 / f: 202-224-2126

Idaho - ADAP Crisis State
**Senator Larry E. Craig (R- ID) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2752 / f: 202-228-1067
Senator Mike Crapo (R- ID) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6142 / f: 202-228-1375

Illinois
Senator Richard J. Durbin (D- IL) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-2152 / f: 202-228-0400
Senator Peter Fitzgerald (R- IL) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2854 / f: 202-228-1372

Indiana - ADAP Crisis State (48 on waiting list)
Senator Richard G. Lugar (R- IN) - Voted No
P: 202-224-4814 / f: 202-228-0360
Senator Evan Bayh (D- IN) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5623 / f: 202-228-1377

Iowa
Senator Charles E. Grassley (R- IA) - Voted No
P: 202-224-3744 / f: 202-224-6020
**Senator Tom Harkin (D- IA) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-3254 / f: 202-224-9369

Kansas
Senator Sam Brownback (R- KS) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6521 / f: 202-228-1265
Senator Pat Roberts (R- KS) - Voted No
P: 202-224-4774 / f: 202-224-3514

Kentucky - ADAP Crisis State (165 on waiting list)
Senator Mitch McConnell (R- KY) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2541 / f: 202-224-2499
Senator Jim Bunning (R- KY) - Voted No
P: 202-224-4343 / f: 202-228-1373

Louisiana
Senator John B. Breaux (D- LA) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4623 / f: 202-228-2577
**Senator Mary Landrieu (D- LA) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5824 / f: 202-224-9735

Maine
Senator Olympia Snowe (R- ME) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5344 / f: 202-224-1946
Senator Sue Collins (R- ME) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2523 / f: 202-224-2693

Maryland
Senator Paul S. Sarbanes (D- MD) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4524 / f: 202-224-1651
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D- MD) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4654 / f: 202-224-8858

Massachusetts
Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D- MA) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4543 / f: 202-224-2417
Senator John F. Kerry (D- MA) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-2742 / f: 202-224-8525

Michigan
Senator Carl Levin (D- MI) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-6221 / f: 202-224-1388
Senator Debbie A. Stabenow (D- MI) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4822 / f: 202-228-0325

Minnesota
Senator Mark Dayton (D- MN) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-3244 / f: 202-228-2186
Senator Norm Coleman (R- MN) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5641 / f: 202-224-1152

Mississippi
**Senator Thad Cochran (R- MS) - Voted No
p: 202-224-5054 / f: 202-224-9450
Senator Trent Lott (R- MS) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6253 / f: 202-224-2262

Missouri
Senator Christopher S. Bond (R- MO) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5721 / f: 202-224-8149
Senator James Michael Talent (R- MO) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6154 / f: 202-228-1815

Montana - ADAP Crisis State (4 on waiting list)
Senator Max Baucus (D- MT) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-2651 / f: 202-228-3687
Senator Conrad R. Burns (R- MT) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2644 / f: 202-224-8594

Nebraska - ADAP Crisis State (30 on waiting list)
Senator Chuck Hagel (R- NE) - Voted No
P: 202-224-4224 / f: 202-224-5213
Senator Ben Nelson (D- NE) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-6551 / f: 202-228-0012

Nevada
**Senator Harry Reid (D- NV) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-3542 / f: 202-224-7327
Senator John Ensign (R- NV) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6244 / f: 202-228-2193

New Hampshire - ADAP Crisis Expected this year
**Senator Judd Gregg (R- NH) - Voted No
P: 202-224-3324 / f: 202-224-4952
Senator John Sununu (R- NH) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2841 / f: 202-228-4131

New Jersey
Senator Jon Corzine (D- NJ) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4744 / f: 202-228-2197
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D- NJ) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-3224 / f: 202-228-4054

New Mexico
**Senator Pete V. Domenici (R- NM) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6621 / f: 202-224-7371
Senator Jeff Bingaman (D- NM) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5521 / f: 202-224-2852

New York
Senator Charles Schumer (D- NY) - Authored amendment, voted Yes
P: 202-224-6542 / f: 202-228-3027
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D- NY) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4451 / f: 202-228-0282

North Carolina - ADAP Crisis State (8 on waiting list)
Senator John Edwards (D- NC) - Did Not Vote
P: 202-224-3154 / f: 202-228-1374
Senator Elizabeth Dole (R- NC) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6342 / f: 202-224-1100

North Dakota
Senator Kent Conrad (D- ND) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2043 / f: 202-224-7776
Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D- ND) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2551 / f: 202-224-1193

Ohio
**Senator Mike DeWine (R- OH) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-2315 / f: 202-224-6519
Senator George Voinovich (R- OH) - Voted No
P: 202-224-3353 / f: 202-228-1382

Oklahoma - ADAP Crisis State
Senator Don Nickles (R- OK) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5754 / f: 202-224-6008
Senator James M. Inhofe (R- OK) - Voted No
P: 202-224-4721 / f: 202-228-0380

Oregon - ADAP Crisis State (228 on waiting list)
Senator Ron Wyden (D- OR) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5244 / f: 202-228-2717
Senator Gordon Smith (R- OR) - Did Not Vote
P: 202-224-3753 / f: 202-228-3997

Pennsylvania
**Senator Arlen Specter (R- PA) - Voted No
P: 202-224-4254 / f: 202-228-1229
Senator Rick Santorum (R- PA) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6324 / f: 202-228-0604

Rhode Island
Senator Jack Reed (D- RI) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4642 / f: 202-224-4680
Senator Lincoln D. Chafee (R- RI) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2921 / f: 202-228-1232

South Carolina
**Senator Ernest F. Hollings (D- SC) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-6121 / f: 202-224-4293
Senator Lindsey Graham (R- SC) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5972 / f: 202-224-1189

South Dakota - ADAP Crisis State (50 on waiting list)
Senator Thomas A. Daschle (D- SD) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-2321 / f: 202-224-6603
Senator Tim Johnson (D- SD) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5842 f: 202-228-5765

Tennessee
Senator William H. Frist (R- TN) - Voted No
P: 202-224-3344 / f: 202-228-1264
Senator Lamar Alexander (R- TN) - Voted No
P: 202-224-4944 / f: 202-228-3398

Texas - ADAP Crisis Expected this year
**Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R- TX) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5922 / f: 202-224-0776
Senator John Cornyn (R- TX) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2934 / f: 202-228-2856

Utah
Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R- UT) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5251 / f: 202-224-6331
Senator Robert F. Bennett (R- UT) - Voted No
P: 202-224-5444 / f: 202-228-1168

Vermont
Senator Patrick J. Leahy (D- VT) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-4242 / f: 202-224-3479
Senator James M. Jeffords (I- VT) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5141 / f: 202-228-0776

Virginia
Senator John W. Warner (R- VA) - Voted No
P: 202-224-2023 / f: 202-224-6295
Senator George Allen (R- VA) - Voted No
P: 202-224-4024 / f: 202-224-5432

Washington - ADAP Crisis State
**Senator Patty Murray (D- WA) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-2621 / f: 202-224-0238
Senator Maria Cantwell (D- WA) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-3441 / f: 202-228-0514

West Virginia - ADAP Crisis State (15 on waiting list)
**Senator Robert C. Byrd (D- WV) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-3954 / f: 202-228-0002
Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV (D- WV) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-6472 / f: 202-224-7665

Wisconsin
**Senator Herb Kohl (D- WI) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5653 / f: 202-224-9787
Senator Russell D. Feingold (D- WI) - Voted Yes
P: 202-224-5323 / f: 202-224-2725

Wyoming
Senator Craig Thomas (R- WY) - Voted No
P: 202-224-6441 / f: 202-224-1724
Senator Michael Enzi (R- WY) - Voted No
P: 202-224-3424 / f: 202-228-0359

SENATE SAYS NO TO INCREASED ADAP AND AIDS FUNDING
NO RELIEF IN SIGHT FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

For additional information:

Ryan Clary, Senior Policy Advocate/Project Inform (415) 558-8669 ext. 224

Patrick M. Lee, Self Advocacy Coordinator/NC Council for Positive Living (336)586-0062 ext. 13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 11, 2003

Washington, DC -The U.S. Senate yesterday voted down an attempt to add $400 million to the ailing Ryan White CARE Act for fiscal year 2004. An amendment to the House Labor/Health and Human Services Appropriations bill (H.R.2660) offered by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) that would have added $214.8 million to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), was defeated on a vote of 53 to 44, ruled out of order by the Chair as it would "exceed discretionary spending limits and thus be in violation of section 504 of the Congressional Budget Resolution" - the agreement adopted this year by Congress that sets overall spending limits.

The Ryan White CARE Act was first authorized by Congress in 1990, creating a federal program to address the growing domestic AIDS epidemic. The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is a primary component of the CARE Act. Administered by the states, ADAP provides access to HIV/AIDS treatments for low-income people who are uninsured or lack adequate prescription drug coverage.

Speaking on his amendment, Sen. Schumer said, "This has broad bipartisan support in the Senate. I hope we will fund it. This is not an ideological issue. No one disputes whether Government should do this. It is not a question of whether the money is needed. We all agree it is needed. I hope we can step to the plate and support this modest increase so that Ryan White is appropriated at the level that is needed." Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) also spoke persuasively in favor of the amendment during introduction and debate.

Referring to the amount already allocated in the bill, Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), who raised the original point of order against the amendment, stated during debate, "There has been a certification from the Director of HIV/AIDS that this $2 billion is all that can be appropriately used." The vote, which split almost entirely along party lines, Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH) being the exception, followed immediately.

"Senator Specter has it wrong," said Jean-Michel Brevelle, a SAVE ADAP activist from Maryland. "The $2 billion he cites was requested for Global AIDS programs and is also inadequate, not the Ryan White CARE Act. I don't know if he was himself confused or if he was trying to confuse others on the issue. ADAPs have been drastically underfunded for the past three years by this Congress and the Administration, and people are dying waiting for life-saving drugs." The first deaths were reported in West Virginia less than two weeks ago, where two people on the ADAP waiting list died waiting to access the program.

"This is an outrage," said Daniel Kubert, Access Project Associate for the AIDS Treatment Data Network in New York. "At a time when our national conversation centers on pride in America and courage in the face of adversity, this is an uncommonly cowardly act depriving vulnerable Americans of the only lifeline they have."

"The Congressional Budget Resolution isn't sacred doctrine," stated Jerry Spillman, California SAVE ADAP activist. "The Senate can waive its requirements if it so chooses. Budgets are as flexible as the people who make them. This isn't a budget issue, it's a human issue and a national crisis. And a national disgrace."

"The Senate is honestly considering giving the Bush Administration an additional $87 billion for a questionable war and foreign occupation, but can't seem to find a way to make $400 million available to care for its own citizens in need," said David Ernesto Munar, Associate Director of AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Fifteen states currently have waiting lists or access restrictions on their ADAPs, according to the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (report issued 8/29/03.) Of these,15 Senators from 10 states voted against any increase for ADAP in 2004 -- Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, and Okalahoma -- where combined waiting lists exceed 430 people. Oklahoma, and two other states not already mentioned (New Hampshire and Texas), also anticipate imposing new or additional restrictions this year. Senators for these states also voted against increases.

Sen. Specter's amendment (S.Amdt. 1542), which substituted the language and funding amounts from the Senate version of the bill, was passed. The final version of the Labor/HHS Appropriations bill was passed on a vote of 94 to 0. The bill now moves to conference committee.

Schumer Amendment on ADAP/Ryan White CARE Act To Be Introduced Next Week
Faxes and Calls Still Needed!!

Thank you to everyone who has called, written, and/or met with your U.S. Senators and urged them to support Senator Schumer's amendment to increase funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and other Ryan White CARE Act programs. From what we've been hearing from Senate offices, the grassroots is weighing in loud and clear on this issue.

We wanted to provide a brief update on the situation. The amendment has been written and will be introduced during the week of September 8th. It asks for the community's funding request for all Titles of the CARE Act, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Senator Schumer's office is looking for co-sponsors for the amendment and for Senators who are willing to speak on its behalf on the Senate floor. Republican support for this amendment is particularly important.

There are still ways that you can help fight for the passage of this amendment:

1. If you haven't yet called your two U.S. Senators' DC offices, please do so on Monday, September 8th. Below is a toll-free number to reach them and a sample message.

2. If you have access to a FAX machine, you can write a short letter in support of the Schumer amendment and fax it to your two U.S. Senators' offices. These will provide a hard copy follow-up to your phone call and will further demonstrate strong support for the amendment. You can use the sample letter below to help craft your message. Letters are needed as soon as possible, and preferably by end of day Monday, Sept. 8th.

3. Finally, you can ask others to call and fax their Senators as well. Please consider asking at least two people you know to take action on this issue. The more calls and letters that are received by our Senators, the better the chance that they will vote for the amendment.

Thank you again for your efforts! Together we can make a difference and help increase access to care and treatment for people with HIV/AIDS!

Sample phone message:

"I urge Senator____________ to support Senator Schumer's amendment to the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill which will increase funding for the Ryan White CARE Act. This amendment will provide badly needed increases for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and other vital HIV/AIDS programs."

Contact information:

You can call your Senators toll-free by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 1-800-648-3516. You'll need to know the names of your Senators and ask to be transferred.

Don't know who your Senators are? Go to www.vote-smart.org for help.

Sample letter:

(Letters should be FAXed. You can find most fax numbers for Senators on Project Inform's online legislative directory,

The Honorable_________________ U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator________________:

I strongly urge you to support Senator Schumer's amendment to the Labor-HHS Appropriations bill that will increase funding for the Ryan White CARE Act. This amendment will provide badly needed increases for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and other vital HIV/AIDS programs.

(Insert personal statement here. If you or someone you care about depends on ADAP and/or other Ryan White CARE Act programs, talk a little bit about the importance of the program. If there is a waiting list or other restriction to treatment access in your state, mention that here. Otherwise, write a few sentences about why you care about this issue).

The increases for these programs offered by the House of Representatives are extremely inadequate. The Schumer amendment offers an opportunity for Congress to demonstrate real leadership on behalf of people with HIV/AIDS. Please do everything in your power to make sure it passes the Senate. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Your name

Your complete home address

Call the White House This Week

Background:

Last week, 180 community-based organizations from 29 states sent a letter to President Bush asking that he provide $283 million in new federal funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs in Fiscal Year 2004, as well as the highest level of funding for all Titles of the Ryan White CARE Act.

For the past four years, ADAP has been inadequately funded to meet the increasing demand. The funding levels being proposed this year are particularly shocking. To date, Congress has voted to appropriate only 10% to 15% of the amount needed. By the end of 2004, over 20,000 newly diagnosed HIV + Americans will not be able to receive life-saving medications from ADAP.

The expected widespread Program closures and access restrictions have already started. Nearly 600 people are currently on ADAP waiting lists across the country. Twelve states have capped enrollment (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota and West Virginia). Three states (New York, Washington and Oklahoma) have restricted access using other means (lowering financial eligibility caps, reducing formularies) and at least six additional states (including Texas and California) have reported that they anticipate implementing substantial new restrictions.

Please take a moment now to urge President Bush to fully fund ADAP by calling the White House

Take Action!

Anytime this week, August 4th to 8th, Call the White House comment line, (202) 456-1111, and follow the prompts to reach a real person.

Sample Message:

"My name is _____ and I'm calling from (city, state). I am calling to urge President Bush to include a request for a $283 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in his Statement of Administration's Principles regarding the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. I also urge that the Administration support the highest possible funding for all Titles of the Ryan White CARE Act."

Please also include a personal message stating how important ADAP is to you and your love ones.

Thanks for your help to Save ADAP!

What are ADAPs?

AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), funded primarily through the Ryan White CARE Act, provide HIV/AIDS prescription drugs to uninsured and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and other U.S. Territories.

ADAP covers patients who are primarily poor (81% earn less than $18,000 a year), minority (33% African American, 25% Hispanic) and without insurance covering prescription drugs. ADAP currently serves approximately 90,000 clients per month.

The Save ADAP Committee is a Working Group of the AIDS Treatment Activist Coalition (ATAC), a national coalition of AIDS treatment activists and policy advocates. Working in conjunction with ADAP clients and service providers on the grassroots level, Save ADAP aims to ensure adequate funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

Save ADAP sent180 Organizations signed-on Letter to President Bush
requesting full funding for ADAP

For Immediate Release
July 28, 2003
Contact: Ryan Clary Project Inform, (415) 558-8669 x224

180 Community Based Organizations Ask President for Additional ADAP Funding Today, 180 community-based organizations from 29 states released a letter to President Bush today asking that he provide $283 million in new federal funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs in FY 2004. To date, Congress has voted to appropriate only 10% to 15% of that amount for FY 2004.

AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), funded primarily through the Ryan White CARE Act, provide HIV/AIDS prescription drugs to uninsured and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and other U.S. Territories.

Nearly 600 people are currently on ADAP waiting lists. Twelve states have capped enrollment (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota and West Virginia). Three states (New York, Washington and Oklahoma) have restricted access using other means (lowering financial eligibility caps, reducing formularies) and at least six additional states (including Texas and California) have reported that they anticipate implementing substantial new restrictions.

"Anti-HIV drugs have been successful in dropping the death rate from AIDS in the United States by over two-thirds since 1996," said Ryan Clary of Project Inform. "Today's news from the CDC that death rates continue to decline as access to new therapies expands sends a clear message that this is the wrong time to restrict access to these life-prolonging medications for Americans most in need."

ADAP covers patients who are primarily poor (81% earn at or below 200% of the federal poverty level), minority (African American (33%), Hispanic (25%)) and without insurance covering prescription drugs. ADAP currently serves approximately 90,000 unduplicated clients per month.

"The Administration must take as public a stand on domestic AIDS needs as it has on addressing the global AIDS crisis," the letter states.

180 Organizations signed-on requesting full funding for ADAP

1775 T Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009

July 29, 2003

The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush:

The undersigned organizations strongly urge you to include a request for a $283 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in your Statement of Administration's Principles regarding the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. This increase is needed to keep AIDS Drug Assistance Programs stable through FY 2004. We also ask that the Administration support the highest possible funding for all Titles of the Ryan White CARE Act. These Titles provide critical support and healthcare services and must also receive adequate funding to meet growing demand.

The Administration must take as public a stand on domestic AIDS needs as it has on addressing the global AIDS crisis. The rationales for such action are clear:

1. As you have stated, antiretroviral drugs have created new hope for longer and better lives for those patients that can access them. Since the introduction of protease inhibitors, death rates in the U.S. have fallen from 40, 000 to 15,000 per year with corresponding drops in morbidity.

2. ADAPs are in dire need of substantial new funding. ADAPs are the final safety net for Americans who have no other means of accessing HIV medications. That safety net, now serving approximately 90,000 unduplicated clients per month, is in danger. The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) has reported that, at the close of the first quarter of the FY '03 funded ADAP program year (July 1st, 2003), over 500 Americans were already on state ADAP waiting lists, 11 states had capped enrollment and at least 20 states had initiated, or were planning to initiate, ADAP program restrictions.

3. The number of patients depending on ADAP continues to grow. The Administration has strongly encouraged that all Americans know their HIV status and by implementing policies such as the approval and dissemination of the rapid HIV test, the numbers of people being tested are growing. Unfortunately, as the ADAP Monitoring Report produced by NASTAD, the AIDS Treatment Data Network and the Kaiser Family Foundation illustrates, many of these new HIV cases are people who are disproportionately uninsured and poor. Other pressures are also causing ADAP needs to grow. Medicaid in many states has had to restrict access to care for optional categories of enrollees, including many people with HIV. They, too, are now being forced to look to ADAP for access to the medicines that are extending their lives.

Mr. President, the Administration must take bold steps in addressing this urgent need. Ask Congress to approve the $283 million increase that the program requires to provide treatment to all Americans who need it, and support the highest possible funding for all programs funded by the Ryan White CARE Act to protect critical support and care services for people with HIV/AIDS

Sincerely,

ACT UP Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
ACT UP East Bay, Oakland, CA
ACT UP/New York, New York, NY
ADAP Working Group, Washington, DC
AIDGwinnett, Inc., Lawrenceville GA
AIDS Action, Washington, DC
AIDS Action Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
AIDS Action Committee, Boston, MA
AIDS Action Project NW, Portland, OR
AIDS Alabama, Birmingham, AL
AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families, Washington, DC
AIDS Council of Northeastern New York
AIDS Education Global Information System (AEGiS), San Juan Capistrano, CA
AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Chicago, IL
AIDS Housing Alliance, Sacramento, CA
AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma, Tacoma WA
AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago, Chicago, IL
AIDS Policy Project, Philadelphia, PA
AIDS Project Greater Danbury, Danbury, CT
AIDS Project Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
AIDS-Related Community Services (ARCS), Hawthorne, NY
AIDS ReSearch Alliance, West Hollywood, CA
AIDS Resource Council of Southwest Florida, Inc.
AIDS Service Center of NYC, New York, NY
AIDS Services Foundation Orange County, Irvine, CA
AIDS Survival Project, Atlanta, GA
AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC)
AIDS Treatment Data Network, New York, NY
ActionAIDS, Philadelphia, PA
Action for a Better Community, Inc., Rochester, NY
Alaska Native Health Board, Anchorage, AK
American Academy of HIV Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, San Francisco, CA
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC
Association for Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT), Brooklyn, NY
Bay Area Consortium for Quality Health Care, Inc., Oakland, CA
Being Alive Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Being Alive: People With HIV/AIDS Action Coalition of Los Angeles, West Hollywood, CA
Beth Israel Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group, New York, NY
Bluegrass Care Clinic/University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, KY
Breaking Barriers, Sacramento, CA
C.A.R.E of Augusta, Augusta, GA
Cascade AIDS Project, Portland, OR
Catalyst Foundation, Lancaster, CA
Catholic Charities/Catholic Youth Organization, San Francisco, CA
Center for Women Policy Studies, Washington, DC
Center in Asbury Park, Asbury Park, NJ
Central Louisiana AIDS Support Services (CLASS), Alexandria, LA
Central New York Health Systems Agency, Inc., Syracuse New York
Central New York HIV Care Network, Syracuse, NY
CHAMP Advocacy of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Chicago House and Social Service Agency, Chicago, IL
Christie's Place, San Diego, CA
Community Fitness Today, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization for Power (CHAMP), Brooklyn, NY
Community Health Care, Tacoma, WA
Community Health Law Project, South Orange, NJ
Community Healthcare Network, New York, NY
Community Leadership Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Consortium Trainer & Treatment Advocate, Los Angeles, CA
Cooper Early Intervention Program, Camden, NJ
Duke AIDS Research and Treatment Center (DART), Durham, NC
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC
Florida AIDS Action, Tampa, FL
Fairfax/Falls Church-CSB/ Regional ACT Program, Alexandria, VA
Fredericksburg Area HIV/AIDS Support Services, VA
Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, San Francisco, CA
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), New York, NY
Georgia ADAP Task Force, Atlanta, GA
George Rural Urban Summit, Decatur GA
GO CARE, Monroe, LA
Heartland CARES, Inc., Paducah, KY
Hemophilia Association Of New York
Hendry/Glades Departments of Health, Ryan White Title III Clinic, Clewiston, FL
Hep C Advocate Network, Inc. (HepCAN), Longview, TX
Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program, Oregon City, OR
Hispanic Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program, Cleveland, OH
HIV/AIDS Support Ministry of Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL
HIV Alliance, Eugene, OR
HIV and Hepatitis.com, San Francisco, CA
HIV Consumer Association of Indiana, Indianapolis, IN
HIV Medicine Association, Alexandria, VA
HIV Resource Planning Council/Denver EMA, CO
Housing Works, Inc., New York, NY
Human Rights Campaign, Washington, DC
Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, New Brunswick, NJ
Inland Northwest AIDS Coalition, Spokane, WA
Integrated Fisheries Research Organisation, Nairobi, Kenya
International AIDS Empowerment, El Paso, TX
International Foundation for Alternative Research in AIDS (IFARA), Portland, OR
Jersey City Connections, Inc., Jersey City, NJ
Keeping Hope Alive HIV/AIDS Ministry, Chicago IL
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, New York, NY
Liberty Resources, Inc., Syracuse, NY
LIFE LINES/ Friends of the Shattuck Shelter, Ltd., Jamaica Plain, MA
Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Seattle, WA
LLEGO, the National Latina/o Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Organization, Washington, DC
Long Island Association for AIDS Care (LIAAC), NY
Matthew 25 AIDS Services, Inc, Henderson, Ky
Medical Advocates for Social Justice, Chicago, IL
Mendocino County AIDS Volunteer Network/Community Care HIV/AIDS Project, Ukiah, CA
Miami Family Care Program /University of Miami School of Medicine, FL
Michigan Advocates Exchange (MAX), Ypsilanti, MI
Michigan Positive Action Coalition (Mi-Poz)
Midwest AIDS Training & Education Center/Institute For Quality Healthcare, Iowa City, IA
Minority AIDS Project, Los Angeles, CA
NAMES Project Foundation/Central New Jersey Chapter, New Brunswick, NJ
National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), Washington, DC
National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), Washington, DC
National Association for Victims of Transfusion-Acquired AIDS, Bethesda, MD
National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc., Washington, DC
National Black Alcoholism & Addictions Council, Inc. - NBAC, Orlando, FL
National Coalition for LGBT Health, Washington, DC
National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Baltimore, MD
National Minority AIDS Council, Washington, DC
Natividad Medical Foundation, Salinas, CA
New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition, New Brunwsick, NJ
New York AIDS Coalition, New York, NY
New York Blade News, New York, NY
New York Peer AIDS Education Coalition, New York, NY
NO/AIDS Task Force, New Orleans, LA
North Carolina AIDS Action Network, Burlington, NC
North Carolina Council for Positive Living, Burlington, NC
North General Hospital, New York, NY
North Idaho AIDS Coalition, Coeur d'Alene, ID
Northeast Florida Leadership Council, Lake City, FL
Northern Manhattan Women and Children HIV Project/ Columbia University, New York, NY
Northern Nevada HOPES, Reno, NV
Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry, Arlington, VA
NYC AIDS Housing Network, Brooklyn, NY
Optimum Graphics USA, LLC, Pennington, NJ
Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc., Jersey City, NJ
The People's Caucus, San Antonio, TX
Persons Living with HIV Action Network of Colorado, Denver, CO
Pierce County AIDS Foundation, Tacoma, WA
Positive Health Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA
Positive Wellness Alliance, Lexington, NC
Positively Living of East Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Premier Care & Learning Center, Inc., Shreveport, LA
Prevention Point Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Project Inform, San Francisco, CA
Project Open Hand, Atlanta, GA
Provincetown AIDS Support Group/dba AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Provincetown, MA
ResourceFULL Network Services, Chicago, IL
RRD Outreach Ministry, Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Ryan White Title III EIS Grant, Washington, DC
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital/HIV Care Services, San Francisco, CA
Saint Luke Baptist Church/SOZO HIV/AIDS Ministry, Paterson, NJ
San Luis Valley HIV/AIDS Coalition, South Fork, CO
San Francisco AIDS Foundation, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Suicide Prevention/AIDS/HIV/HepC Nightline, San Francisco, CA
Santa Clara County HIV Planning Council, Campbell, CA
Selma AIR (AIDS Information Referral), Selma, AL
Siouxland Community Health Center, Sioux City, IA
Sonoma County Commission on AIDS (California) & West County Health Centers, Guerneville CA
Southeast Idaho AIDS Coalition, Pocatello, ID
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL
Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc., Johnson City, NY
The South Jersey Council On AIDS, Inc., Barrington, NJ
Spokane AIDS Network, Spokane, WA
St. Louis Metropolitian CHA-CHA, Epiphany UCC, St. Louise, MO
Tarrant County Samaritan Housing, Fort Worth, TX
Tennessee AIDS Support Services, Inc.
Test Positive Aware Network, Chicago, IL
Texas AIDS Network, Austin, TX
Tender Loving Care/Memphis Managed Care Corporation, Memphis, TN
Title II Community AIDS National Network (TIICANN), Washington, DC
Tom Thom Club, An Effort for Prevention and Support for HIV/AIDS, South Fork, CO
Toya Management Services, Highland, IN
Treatment Access Expansion Project (TAEP)
Treatment Action Group, New York, NY
Triad Health Project, Greensboro, NC
Tulsa C.A.R.E.S, Tulsa, OK
United Bronx Parents, Inc., New York, NY
Unity Coalition/Coalicion Unida de Miami-Dade, Miami, FL
University of Illinois at Chicago/ HIV/AIDS Project, Chicago, IL
Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry, Canfield, OH
Volunteers of America of Kentucky Inc., Louisville, Ky
Waikiki Health Center, Honolulu, HI
Welch Terrace Apartments, Syracuse, NY
Wesley Housing Development Corporation, Alexandria, VA
Women's Prison Association & Home, Inc. (WPA), New York, NY
WV HIV Care Consortium, Wheeling, WV

Urgent Calls needed! 20,000 to go without ADAP in 2004
U.S. House of Representatives To Vote on Appropriations Bill This Thursday
Your Help Is Again Needed To SAVE ADAP!!

On Thursday, the House of Representatives will vote on Fiscal Year 2004 funding levels for HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). The amount of increase being proposed will only meet 14% of the projected demand on the program.

The $39 million increase for ADAP approved by the House Appropriations Committee falls severely short of the $283 million identified as needed to alleviate the current ADAP crisis. Over 20,000 newly diagnosed HIV positive Americans will not have access to anti-HIV medications in 2004. In addition, the proposed flat funding for Title I of the Ryan White CARE Act and cuts to other Titles represents a dangerous turning point in the history of the CARE Act. These Titles must have adequate increases to provide essential support and healthcare services to people with HIV/AIDS.

This wholesale retreat from the promise of the Ryan White CARE Act will devastate these life saving programs. Newly identified HIV positive people by the CDC's Rapid HIV Testing initiative will find severe limits on accessing care and treatment. Individuals cut off from Medicaid due to new restrictions will be put on ADAP waiting lists. Fifteen ADAPs have already closed enrollment, with seven more about to join the ranks. Without adequate funding, the ADAP crisis will reach unprecedented proportions.

There is still time to make your voice heard if you call your elected officials immediately. Please take a few minutes to call your House Representative and urge him/her to support adequate funding for ADAP and other critical HIV/AIDS programs. Lives do depend on it!

Action needed:

Call your U.S. Representative immediately and no later than end of day Wednesday, July 9th. Ask to speak to their legislative aide who handles HIV/health care issues. You can use the following phone script to help craft your message.

"I am a constituent of Representative__________________. I am urging the Congressman/woman to do everything in his/her power to secure a $283 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAP received a very inadequate increase from the House Appropriations Committee and must be improved. I encourage Representative__________________ to fight on the House floor for a $283 million increase for ADAP and the highest possible increases for all HIV/AIDS programs.

Contact information:

You can call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-800-839-5276. Ask to be connected to your Representative.

You can also find phone numbers and other contact information on Project Inform's legislative directory, www.projectinform.org/org/FedLegislative/index.html

Don't know who your representatives are? Call 1-888-VOTE-SMART or visit www.vote-smart.org/index.phtml

House Subcommittee Approves Highly Inadequate Increase for ADAP
Senate to start process on Wednesday

Your help is needed to SAVE ADAP!!

On Thursday of last week, the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee voted on Fiscal Year 2004 funding levels for HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). The results are extremely disappointing and demonstrate a clear lack of commitment to mounting a real fight against the epidemic.

The Subcommittee approved a $39 million increase for ADAP. This amount falls severely short of the $283 million identified as needed to alleviate the current ADAP crisis. It is less than half of the $100 million increase for ADAP requested by President Bush. In addition, the Subcommittee approved only flat funding for Title I of the Ryan White CARE Act and cuts in other Titles. This lack of leadership will result in greatly reduced access to treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS across the country.

Congress must hear from constituents that these funding levels are highly inadequate and must be improved during the remainder of the appropriations process. The full House Appropriations Committee is expected to review the funding bill on Wednesday of this week. The same day, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education will begin its own process.

Both the House and the Senate are moving much quicker than expected but there is time to make your voice heard if you call your elected officials immediately. Please take a few minutes to call your House Representative and two U.S. Senators and urge them to support adequate funding for ADAP and other critical HIV/AIDS programs. Lives depend on it.

Action needed:

Call your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators immediately and no later than 5 pm EST Tuesday, June 24th. Ask to speak to their legislative aide who handles HIV/health care issues. Use the following phone scripts to help craft your message.

(For Representatives):

"I am a constituent of Representative__________________. I am urging the Congressman/woman to do everything in his/her power to secure a $283 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAP received a very inadequate increase from the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee and must be improved. I encourage Representative__________________ to convey his/her support for a $283 million increase for ADAP and the highest possible increases for all HIV/AIDS programs to members of the full House Appropriations Committee."

(For Senators):

"I am a constituent of Senator__________________. I am urging the Senator to do everything in his/her power to secure a $283 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAP provides access to treatment to people with HIV who otherwise couldn't afford it. The program is in a fiscal crisis and this amount is needed to make sure that people can benefit from lifesaving medications. I encourage Senator__________________ to convey his/ support for this increase and the highest possible increases for all HIV/AIDS programs to members of the Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee."

Contact information:

You can call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-800-839-5276. Ask to be connected to your Representative/Senator.

You can also find phone numbers and other contact information on Project Inform's legislative directory, www.projectinform.org/org/FedLegislative/index.html

Don't know who your representatives are? Call 1-888-VOTE-SMART or visit www.vote-smart.org/index.phtml