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Congress Completes Labor/HHS Appropriations Bill -- Finally!November 11, 1997 A note from TheBody.com: Since this article was written, the HIV pandemic has changed, as has our understanding of HIV/AIDS and its treatment. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information! The conference committee for the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (Labor/HHS) FY 98 appropriations bill completed its work on the bill Friday, November 7, and its report was passed overwhelmingly by both the House and Senate. It appears likely that President Clinton will sign the bill when it reaches his desk. Syringe Exchange:As reported in our last alert, the bill contains new language on restricting federal funding for syringe exchange programs. The bill does allow the secretary of health and human services to retain the authority to lift the funding ban if she determines that syringe exchange programs prevent the spread of HIV and do not encourage the use of illegal drugs. However, there is a moratorium (through March 31, 1998) on her ability to exercise this authority.
AIDS Action will be encouraging the secretary to make a determination regarding this issue immediately and to lift the funding ban as soon as the moratorium is over. Meanwhile, we will continue to assist in laying the groundwork necessary for her to do so. An upcoming AIDS Action Network Alert will provide more details about this process and actions our Network members may take to support this initiative. Funding for Federal HIV/AIDS Programs:Now that the Labor/HHS appropriations bill has been completed by Congress, funding levels for all federal HIV/AIDS programs are now set for FY 98. Included in this Network Alert is an updated chart of FY 98 appropriations for these programs. ** AIDS Action: **Please take a moment to write a letter of gratitude to the members of Congress who were instrumental in securing strong funding (in the Labor/HHS appropriations bill) for HIV/AIDS-related federal programs. Thank them for their hard work, remind them how crucial this funding is to helping communities respond to the epidemic, and let them know how vital it is that they continue their leadership on this issue. Members to thank include: Senators: Representatives: Address your letters: The Honorable _____ Dear Senator _____: OR The Honorable _____ Dear Representative _____:
[If you can, please also send a copy of your letters to AIDS Action.] FY 1998 Appropriations Levels For Federal AIDS Programs (as of November 11, 1997; increases or decreases from the FY 97 numbers are shown in parentheses) CDC Prevention HRSA -- Ryan White CARE Act Total
NIH -- AIDS Research HUD -- HOPWA SAMHSA (Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Blockgrant) * Full House vote was completed 9/17/97. ** Full Senate vote was completed 9/11/97. *** Total funding for NIH research was increased by 7.5% in the Senate bill, although no funding level was specified for AIDS research. **** VA/HUD programs were funded through H.R. 2158, which was signed into law on 10/27/97. HOPWA received $204 million. ***** Funding for prevention, the Ryan White CARE Act, research, and SAMHSA is included in the Labor/HHS conference report. The report was passed by the House and Senate (on 11/7//97 and 11/8/97, respectively) and awaits President Clinton's signature. ****** This total includes $1,595 million specified for the Office of AIDS Research and $13 million specified for the development of an AIDS vaccine research facility. Don't Forget the E-March!Coming December 1. For more information on the Until It's Over E-March, visit www.aidsaction.org.
A note from TheBody.com: Since this article was written, the HIV pandemic has changed, as has our understanding of HIV/AIDS and its treatment. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!  This article was provided by AIDS Action Council.
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