HIV/AIDS Programs Receive Funding Increases

Today, the U.S. Senate took final action on the FY 2002 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations conference report (HR 3061). The measure, which provides funding for important HIV/AIDS care, prevention and research programs, passed the Senate by a vote of 90 to 7 (Roll call vote no. 378). The House of Representatives passed the conference report last night by a vote of 393 to 30 (Roll call vote no. 504). The bill is expected to be signed into law by the President later this week.

In funding Ryan White CARE Act programs, conferees split the difference between the Senate and House-passed funding levels -- with the exception of the ADAP program which received a $50 million increase. Programs included in the Minority AIDS Initiative received a $31 million increase over FY 2001 funding. HIV prevention programs received a $68.2 million increase and NIH funding specific to HIV/AIDS was estimated to increase by 11 percent. The Labor-HHS-Education funding measure was delayed in conference due to extensive negotiations over education funding formulas, which were resolved by the authorizing committee. A final agreement on the education reform bill was reached last week, setting the stage for final consideration of the Labor-HHS-Education bill.

The HIV/AIDS funding levels for the House-passed FY 2002 Labor-HHS-Education conference report include:

Audits of Prevention Programs

The final conference report includes language requesting an audit by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Inspector General of all federal amounts and activities allocated for AIDS prevention programs funded by the Labor-HHS-Education bill.

With five ongoing audits of HIV/AIDS programs within DHHS, AIDS Action views the repetitive and costly audits as an attempt to hamstring open, honest and comprehensive sexual health dialogue. These costly audits are essentially diverting funding from direct services and weakening efforts to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

To view a detailed chart outlining HIV/AIDS-related funding in the final Labor-HHS-Education bill or the conference report language, go to www.aidsaction.org.