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Global AIDS Funding |
| By John S. James AIDS Treatment News
It is especially important now for U.S. citizens to let
their two Senators know they are concerned about funding to
control AIDS and other infectious diseases around the
world. The Democrats have been worse on this issue than the
Republicans -- not because they are opposed, but because
they do not think people care. It never hurts to let Congress know
that their constituents care about AIDS in Africa and
elsewhere, and infectious diseases everywhere.
Background An August 20 alert from the Treatment Action Network of Project Inform summarizes the situation:
"While the process hasn't finished in the House of Representatives or the Senate, it appears that the House will approve about the same amount as the President has pledged. It is critical that the Senate propose a much larger amount. The House and Senate will have to meet to negotiate a final amount to send to the President for approval. To prepare for these negotiations, it is crucial that the Senate come to the table with a large number, rather than the smallest! "Constituent pressure is essential to ensure that elected officials make the global AIDS crisis a priority. If everyone who cares about the international AIDS epidemic meets with, calls, or writes a letter to their Senators this month, we could have a major impact in focusing their attention on this issue. Please take a few minutes to respond to this Alert! ... "You can find contact information for your two U.S. Senators by accessing their individual websites through the main U.S. Senate website. Go to http://www.senate.gov, then click "List Senators By State". You'll find links to both of your Senators underneath your state. Each website will have Washington and district phone, fax, and mailing addresses." Notes: (1) It is best to avoid email to political offices unless you know that they are prepared to include email in their counts of public opinion on issues. If you do email your Senators, include your street address so they will know it is coming from a constituent. You might call their office and ask if email is a good way to communicate with them -- or if you should write or call instead. (2) It is never too late to let your representatives know that you care about AIDS in Africa and elsewhere, and infectious diseases throughout the world. Doing our part to control epidemics is entirely feasible and is the right thing to do, and it makes us all safer in an increasingly populated, mobile, and interconnected world. AIDS Treatment News Published twice monthly Subscription and Editorial Office: 1233 Locust St., 5th floor Philadelphia, PA 19107 800/TREAT-1-2 toll-free email: aidsnews@critpath.org useful links: http://www.aidsnews.org/ Editor and Publisher: John S. James Associate Editor: Tadd T. Tobias Statement of Purpose: AIDS Treatment News reports on experimental and standard treatments, especially those available now. We interview physicians, scientists, other health professionals, and persons with AIDS or HIV; we also collect information from meetings and conferences, medical journals, and computer databases. Long-term survivors have usually tried many different treatments, and found combinations that work for them. AIDS Treatment News does not recommend particular therapies, but seeks to increase the options available. AIDS Treatment News is published 24 times per year, on the first and third Friday of every month, and print copies are sent by first class mail. Email is available (see below). Back issues are available at http://www.aidsnews.org/ To subscribe, you can call 800-TREAT-1-2 or 415-255-0588: |
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