On February 19th, The Human Rights Campaign praised Congress for
passing the fiscal year 2003 omnibus appropriations bill, which
increases funds for crucial life-saving programs that help people living
with HIV/AIDS.
"We are thankful that Congress and the Bush administration have
made funding critical HIV/AIDS programs a priority," said HRC Political
Director Winnie Stachelberg. "We look forward to working further with
Congress and the administration to continue to effectively address this
crisis at home and abroad."
The bill, which funds federal programs from Oct. 1, 2002, to
Sept. 30, 2003, is expected to be signed by President Bush this week.
HRC called its congressional passage on Thursday a relief because its
delay of several months was threatening much-needed HIV/AIDS funding.
In comparison to fiscal year 2002 appropriations, the fiscal
year 2003 bill will provide the following increases: Ryan White
Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, $96 million; the AIDS Drug
Assistance Program, $80 million; and Housing Opportunities for People
With AIDS, $14 million.
Prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention will receive a $34.7 million boost. The National Institutes
of Health another $3.83 billion, and the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Agency will receive an increase of $98 million.
HRC applauds these increases for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment
and research. HRC will work with Congress and the Bush administration
to maintain the president's recently announced increases for the fiscal
year 2004 budget.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention there
are now as many as 950,000 people in the United States who are
HIV-positive, with 40,000 Americans being infected each year. In
2001,15,603 Americans died from AIDS, and the disease is now the leading
cause of death for African-Americans in the ages 25-44.
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