AIDS Funding & the Federal Deficit
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The so-called Congressional “super-committee” has been authorized to make recommendations for over 1 trillion dollars in federal spending reductions. Domestic and international AIDS spending for programs such as Ryan White, HOPWA, PEPFAR and the Global Fund, among others, could be on the deficit reduction hit list if advocates don’t get involved in the process. While it is true that budget battles happen every year, this new super-committee and the focus on deficit reduction in the midst of already tough economic times for HIV/AIDS providers makes this year different. This year is also different because HPTN 052 confirmed as fact what we’ve known for sometime: HIV treatment and care are key to the eradication of HIV. Cuts in HIV/AIDS programming now will result in the unnecessary loss of human life and cost America much, much more in medical care and lost earnings over the decades to come.
Congress and this Administration will be responsive to the demands of the HIV/AIDS community if we can show them the numbers. Our numbers don’t come with $ signs in front of them; they come with signatures and the willingness to use one’s voice and feet at the ballot box.
Take 10 minutes today to voice your HIV/AIDS spending priorities. Between now and October 14th, all members of Congress can make recommendations to the 12 members of the super-committee about how to reduce the federal deficit. It is important that your members of Congress hear from YOU about the HIV community’s priorities.
Super-committee Members |
| Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), co-chair Senator John Kerry (D-MA) Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) Senator John Kyl (R-AZ) Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) Senator Rob Portman (R-OR) Representative Jeb Hensarling (R, TX-5th), co-chair Representative Dave Camp (R, MI-4th) Representative Fred Upton (R, MI-6th) Representative James Clyburn (D, SC-6th) Representative Xavier Becerra (D, CA-31st) Representative Chris Van Hollen (D, MD-8th) |
Call or email your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators by October 13th (Find their contact info here). Ask them to support the HIV community’s priorities when they talk to the super-committee about ways to reduce the federal deficit. If one of your Senators or your Representative is a member of the super-committee, your call is especially important!
Message
“My name is ___ and I am a resident of [city, state name]. I am a constituent, and I am calling to ask the Senator/Representative to support the HIV community’s priorities throughout the deficit reduction process. These are our top four priorities:
1. Deficit reduction must be fair and balanced, and must include revenue increases.
2. Any approach to deficit reduction must protect vulnerable populations and maintain the federal commitment to the domestic & global fights against HIV/AIDS by funding prevention, care and treatment, research, housing and support services.
3. It is essential to preserve the federal commitment to the Medicaid and Medicare programs.
4. We oppose deficit reduction strategies that would jeopardize health care reforms already underway.
As someone whose life has been affected by HIV, these priorities are extremely important to me. Please ask the Senator/Representative convey these priorities to the super-committee before October 13th.
[After they respond, then say]
Thank you!”
Related Information
- For more Legislative Advocacy Tips, click here.
- An Advocate’s Guide to Deficit Reduction: 19 slides that explain the Budget Control Act and deficit reduction process, provide talking points, and take you through the steps to set up an in-district meeting with your members of Congress.
- AIDS Community’s Deficit Reduction Principles: A letter to the deficit reduction super committee signed by close to 200 organizations around the country that you can share with your members of Congress and other constituents to show how important these principles are to the HIV community.
