• This Week in Washington
  • HHS Awards Title II Funds
  • AIDS Action Convenes April NORA Meeting
  • Health Disparities Remain a Major Concern
  • Action and Art Against AIDS Raising Awareness on Capitol Hill
  • Elton John Addresses Senate HELP Committee on Global AIDS
  • AIDS Watch Set for June 9-11, 2002 -- AIDS Action National Partner
• In the News
  • Congressman Kolbe Speaks on Funding for HIV/AIDS
  • Nominations Requested for HHS Advisory Committee
  • Matching Grants Available Through "LIFP 2003"
  • CDC Announces Fellowship for HIV Prevention Leadership
• AIDS Action Board Member Highlight

This Week in Washington

HHS Awards Title II Funds

On Wednesday, April 10, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson announced grants totaling $923 million to provide medical care, support services and prescription drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS through Title II of the Ryan White CARE Act. The FY 2002 funds included $286 million to organize health care and support services, $619.8 million for the purchase of medications through state-run AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), $7 million for the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative and an additional $10 million for states with "emerging communities." To read the entire article: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2002pres/20020410.html. To see a list of the fiscal year 2002 Title II grantees: http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2002releases/TitleIIawards.htm.

AIDS Action Convenes April NORA Meeting

On Monday, April 8, the National Organizations Responding to AIDS (NORA) coalition held its monthly meeting. The featured speaker was Mrs. Patricia Ware, Executive Director of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA), who updated the NORA members on the council's priorities and next steps discussed at the PACHA meeting, held on March 14 and 15. In addition, NORA is in the process of completing its FY 2003 Appropriations recommendations, which will be available in May. The NORA Appropriations Working Group is planning a series of Hill visits later this month to highlight NORA's recommendations. For more information, please contact Jessica Tytel, NORA Coordinator: jtytel@aidsaction.org.

Health Disparities Remain a Major Concern

On Tuesday, April 9, the Institute for Diversity in Health Management held a briefing on Capitol Hill on "Eliminating Disparities in Healthcare: The Dialogue Continues" as part of the Annual Leadership Forum of the American Health Association. Panelists included Del. Donna Christian Christensen (D-VI), Dr. Nathan Stinson, Director of the Office of Minority Health, Dr. David Barton Smith, Professor, Temple University; and Dr. Javette Orgaine, Professor of Medicine, University of Illinois. The panel reached a consensus that a healthcare movement is needed to ensure equal access to quality healthcare for all. New solutions are needed to address the growing problem of health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. For more information about the Institute for Diversity in Health Management: http://www.institutefordiversity.org.

The Congressional Black Caucus Health Task Force will also tackle the difficult issue of health disparities during a hearing on Friday, April 12. The hearing will give the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services an opportunity to report on the status of the agency's "Initiative to Eliminate Racial an Ethnic Disparities in Health." The hearing will be held in room 311 of the Cannon House Office Building and is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am. If you are unable to attend the hearing, you can view the proceedings by going to: http://www.urbanhealthcast.com.

Action and Art Against AIDS Raising Awareness on Capitol Hill

On Wednesday, April 10, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) hosted a reception and photo exhibit entitled "A Broken Landscape: HIV/AIDS in Africa." The reception and exhibit were part of a day of events that included a Capitol Hill rally to call for greater resources for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Speakers at the rally included: Rep. John Conyers (D-MI); Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA); Rep Jim Leach (R-IA); Mr. Danny Glover; Asia Russell, ACT UP Philadelphia; Rabbi David Sapperstein, the Religious Action Center; Dr. Alan Berkman, Health GAP Coalition; and John Bell, HIV+ member of ACT UP Philadelphia. Each speaker focused on the need for $750 million in emergency appropriations for the Global Fund this year and $2.5 billion in appropriations for the Global Fund for FY2003. Speakers also pointed out the need for debt relief of nations devastated by HIV/AIDS and increased access to medication.

Elton John Addresses Senate HELP Committee On Global AIDS

On Thursday, April 11, Sir Elton John addressed the Senate Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) at the hearing entitled "Capacity to Care: In a World Living with Aids." Sir Elton John made the following remarks: "12 years ago last Monday Ryan White died. He was not my first friend who died of AIDS nor will he be my last friend, but he is the friend who taught me the most. Ryan White did not hate the people who chased him out of school or shot bullets into his home. Ryan understood that it was lack of knowledge that made the community hate him. The Ryan White CARE Act has helped educate many people and care for those HIV and AIDS patients in the US. My foundation has worked to eliminate stigma and educate people about AIDS in Uganda, Brazil, Thailand, Russia and Soweto. We have found that the front line workers need reinforcement and there must be an increase in funding for education, testing and counseling, care and access to treatment." To view the hearing in its entirety: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/healthcast/help/11apr2002.

AIDS Watch Set for June 9-11, 2002 -- AIDS Action National Partner

AIDS Action, in partnership with the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA) and the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), is pleased to announce that AIDS Watch 2002, the annual HIV/AIDS grassroots advocacy event, is scheduled to take place June 9-11, 2002 in Washington, D.C. AIDS Watch 2002 will include a day of education and advocacy training sessions followed by two days of visits with members of Congress, congressional staff and Administration officials. Participants will highlight the need for increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs, as well as advocate for policies impacting those persons at risk or living with HIV/AIDS. To learn more about AIDS Watch 2002 or to register on-line go to: http://www.napwa.org/pubdocs/aidswatchreg.htm.

In the News

Congressman Kolbe Speaks On Funding for HIV/AIDS

The Associated Press is reporting that on a conference call from Cape Town, South Africa, Representative Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, raised concerns about the future of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. In the process of completing an eight-day trip to sub-Saharan Africa with other members of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Kolbe pointed out that the US is receiving "good value for the dollar" in the fight against HIV/AIDS but many countries are lacking the dedication from the highest levels of leadership that is essential to ending the plague of HIV/AIDS.

Nominations Requested for HHS Advisory Committee

The Office of Minority Health (OMH), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is requesting nominations to fill four vacancies for voting members to serve on the HHS Advisory Committee on Minority Health. The advisory committee advises the Secretary on ways to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations, and on the development of goals and program activities within the Department. It consists of 12 voting members appointed by the Secretary from among racial and ethnic minorities who have expertise regarding issues of minority health. Members serve for four years and are compensated for the time they spend in Committee meetings. Nominations are due May 15. To learn more about the Advisory Committee or to obtain a copy of a nomination form: http://www.omhrc.gov/acmh.

Matching Grants Available Through "LIFP 2003"

The Local Initiative Funding Partners (LIFP) program is a matching grants program designed to establish partnerships between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and local grant-makers in support of innovative, community-based projects that improve health and health care for underserved and at-risk populations. Under LIFPP, a local grant-maker proposes a funding partnership to RWJF on behalf of a local applicant for grant funds. RWJF established this matching grants program to help support projects that are consistent with the Foundation's funding interests in improving health and health care. The local applicant for grant funds must prepare a concept paper and a preliminary budget with a brief narrative. Stage-I applicants should complete an online pre-registration form no later than July 26, 2002. To learn more about this grant: http://www.lifp.org. To learn more about other federal grant opportunities through CDC: http://www.cdcnpin.org/db/public/fundmain.htm.

CDC Announces Fellowship for HIV Prevention Leadership

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is accepting applications for the Price Fellowships for HIV Prevention Leadership program, which offers individuals from community-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) committed to preventing HIV infection, an opportunity to work closely with health professionals at the national level.

The three individuals selected as Price Fellows will spend four weeks, (August 5-30, 2002) at the CDC in Atlanta, where they will work closely with CDC scientists and health professionals. They will gain an understanding of HIV prevention efforts at the national level while CDC health professionals learn about current efforts and concerns about HIV prevention at the community level.

Complete application packets must be submitted by May 1, 2002. To find out more information about the Price Fellowship: contact Maestro Evans with the CDC at (404) 639-0960.

AIDS Action Board Member Highlight

The AIDS Action Council Board of Directors consists of local HIV/AIDS service providers throughout the United States. Each week, the Update will highlight one of these service providers and the work they are doing to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their region.

AIDS Service Center, which began responding to the AIDS epidemic out of the basement of All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA, is now the second largest AIDS service provider in Los Angeles County. AIDS Service Center provides direct services to nearly 17,000 individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. Through the dedication and determination of its 65-member staff and over 600 volunteers, ASC offers a variety of services including: individualized health care services, housing assistance, transportation, food, counseling, legal assistance, child care and education. To learn more about AIDS Service Center: http://www.aidsservicecenter.org.