Stimulus Package AIDS Funding Threatened in Congress

Why: The Senate will begin debate next week on the Economic Recovery bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives this week. The Senate bill includes $400 million in funding for HIV and STD screening and prevention. (The House version is $335 million and includes TB and Viral Hepatitis as well. We will call for inclusion of those diseases in conference). We must make certain the funding remains in the bill.

• 56,300 new HIV infections occur annually
• One state plans to close all STD clinics due to budget cuts
• More than 680 jobs have been lost in TB control programs in last three years
• At least 3 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis C
• 25% of the current public health care workforce is eligible to retire in 2012

The money should be sent the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention to address the four most common infectious diseases in the U.S. Adjusted for inflation, CDC's HIV prevention budget alone has decreased by 19.3% since fiscal year 2002. Explain to the Administration and the Senators that prevention funding is critical to the health and well-being of the country.

Take AIDS Action:

• Contact the White House
  202-456-1414 comments line
• Contact your Senator 202-224-3121

Sign-on deadline: Call now and continue to call until Wednesday, February 4th

Additional Information: One time investments in the prevention of HIV, STDs, viral hepatitis and TB is an effective way to create thousands of jobs, modernize and strengthen the public health infrastructure, accelerate prevention efforts and hasten the elimination of these efforts. The nation must invest in turning the tide on these infections for a healthier society and improved healthcare infrastructure.

Not sure who your Representative is? Go to http://capwiz.com/aac/dbq/officials to find out! OR reach your Senators by dialing 202-224-3121 and asking for them by name.

Not sure who your Senators are? Go to http://capwiz.com/aac/dbq/officials to find out!

To find out more about how investing in HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB prevention will create jobs, strengthen health infrastructure, and address an urgent health threat, click here.