[Pharm-policy] Project Inform Treatment Action Network Alert

[Paul Davis]

Project Inform/Treatment Action Network Action Alert

Join Grassroots Effort To Fight Global AIDS Crisis
Urge your two U.S. Senators To Support A $2 Billion Contribution To The
Global AIDS and Health Fund

August 20, 2001 --While Congress is unlikely to make decisions on the
majority of domestic HIV/AIDS funding immediately, one area where it should
take action soon is U.S. funding to fight the international HIV pandemic. I=
t
is extremely important that elected officials hear from Americans that
funding the international fight against AIDS needs to be a high priority.
According to the Health GAP Coalition, there are really no major opponents
to this funding, but it doesn=92t have enough champions. Treatment Action
Network members have played a major role in securing increased funding for
many domestic HIV/AIDS programs and we hope that you will take a few minute=
s
this month to make your voice heard on international HIV/AIDS funding. It
could be the difference between a meager and a meaningful response by
Congress!

Background:

On April 26th, 2001, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan launched
the =93Global AIDS and Health Fund=94. This international fund is intended to
treat and prevent HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria for those without
access to medicine, health care, and prevention programs.

This spring, President Bush pledged a $200 million contribution to this
fund. While a small step forward, this amount falls well short of the $2
billion asked of the United States and lowered the bar for other
contributors. Major donors have scaled back their contributions and the
momentum has slowed. Advocates have turned to Congress to increase this
pledge.

While the process hasn=92t 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, i=
t
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 internationa=
l
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!

What you can do:

Your two U.S. Senators are in their home offices for the month of August
during the Congressional recess. Now is an excellent time to contact them
about the need for a meaningful contribution to the Global AIDS and Health
Fund.

There are three effective ways to make your voice heard on this issue:

1.  Call your two Senators=92 district office by the end of August, preferabl=
y
the week of August 20th. Tell whoever answers the phone:

=93I am calling to urge Senator___________________to support a $2 billion
contribution from the United States to the =93Global AIDS and Health Fund=94,
created by the UN Secretary General. The U.S. must provide a meaningful
contribution to reduce the rate of new HIV infections and provide access to
treatment and care to those in need worldwide.=94

2.  Write a short, personal letter with the same message. Personal letters,
especially handwritten, are one of the most effective ways to influence our
elected representatives. Taking a few minutes to put your thoughts on paper
will go a long way in making this issue a priority for your Senators. If yo=
u
write the letter before August 24th, mail or fax it to your Senators=92
district office. If you write it after the 24th, mail or fax it to their
offices in Washington, DC (see contact information below). You can use the
enclosed sample letter to help craft your message.

A note on e-mail:  It is still unknown how effective it is to e-mail your
representatives. Many advocates familiar with Capitol Hill, including
ex-legislative staffers, insist that e-mails are not read and counted. Phon=
e
calls and mailed or faxed letters are recommended by most advocates. It
appears to depend on each representative and his/her staff. We recommend
that you call your legislators=92 offices and ask their staff if and how
e-mail is read and counted in their office. Know in advance each
representative=92s preferred method of communication.

3. If you live near your Senators=92 district offices, you can try to schedul=
e
a brief meeting with him/her during the August recess. It is not as
difficult as it seems to get a short meeting. Call the district office and
ask to speak to the Senator=92s district scheduler. Let him/her know you=92re a
constituent and ask for a short meeting to discuss international AIDS
funding. If the Senator is unavailable, they will likely suggest you meet
with a legislative aide. Don=92t be offended by this=97these staffmembers are
the eyes and ears of the Senator and will make sure your opinion and
arguments are relayed to the Senator. If you schedule a meeting, you might
want to contact the Health GAP Coalition for some background information on
this issue to help you prepare and to bring to your Senators. E-mail Paul
Davis at pdavis@critpath.org for more information.

Contact information:

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
www.senate.gov, then click =93List Senators By State=94. You=92ll find links to
both of your Senators underneath your state. Each website will have D.C. an=
d
district phone, fax, and mailing addresses.

Sample letter:

The Honorable ___________
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator ___________:

I am writing to urge your support for a $2 billion contribution from the
United State to the =93Global AIDS and Health Fund. This international fund
was created by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to fight AIDS and other
infectious diseases worldwide.

President Bush has pledged $200 million to this fund. While a small step
forward, this amount is far below what was is estimated to ensure that the
fund gets the $9.2 billion it needs to provide adequate access to health
care, treatment, facilities, and prevention programs. As a wealthy nation,
the United States must be a leader on this issue and raise the bar so that
other donors make adequate contributions as well.

***Insert personal statement here. Let your Senators know why HIV/AIDS is a=
n
important issue to you and why we must do what we can to fight the epidemic
internationally.***

As you know, escalating HIV infections have lead to untold human suffering
worldwide, primarily in Africa and Asia. Please do everything in your power
to ensure that our nation is a leader in efforts to create reduce new
infections and create a bridge to survival for those without access to
medicine.

Sincerely,

Your name

Thank you to the Health GAP Coalition for the information contained in this
Alert. To learn more about their efforts, e-mail Paul Davis at
pdavis@critpath.org

Please forward this Alert to your friends, family, colleagues, etc.! Thanks
for taking the time to make a difference!

Ryan Clary
Community Organizing Program Manager
Project Inform
205-13th Street, #2001
San Francisco, CA  94103
(415) 558-8669 x224 ph
(415) 558-0684 fax
tan@projectinform.org