July 13, 2009

House Appropriations Subcommittee Recommends Funding Increase for Part D

Good News! We've heard that late Friday, the House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee recommended a nearly $1.9 million increase for Part D, as well as increases for other parts of the Ryan White Care Act. The full chart, including comparisons to the Presidents budget is available on our website.

THIS IS ONLY STEP ONE: This budget goes to the full House Appropriations Committee on Friday. We'll alert you if any activity is needed there. Shortly after that the Senate begins work on its version and we will be busy working with our partners in the HIV/AIDS community to increase that budget as well.

Other good news: The subcommittee removed the restrictions on needle exchange programs from the FY 2010 appropriations bill, including a statement by Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI), in which he highlighted the broad scientific consensus supporting the effectiveness of these programs in preventing HIV infection. It also includes $114.5 million for a teenage pregnancy prevention initiative with "evidence-based and other approaches, such as abstinence" –- language that supports a move away from abstinence only. We'll keep you posted.

Best regards,

Carole

Carole S. Treston, RN MPH
Executive Director
AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families
1600 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
202-785-3564 x280
ctreston@aids-alliance.org