The Ryan White CARE Act expires on September 30, 2000. Congressional committees will soon begin discussion about reauthorization. It is absolutely essential that the United States Congress reauthorize this vitally important program this year. The Ryan White CARE Act has provided a critical safety net for tens of thousands of low-income uninsured and underinsured individuals in California.
APLA recently invited hundreds of organizations across the State to join in a STATE EFFORT designed to help ensure the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. We would like to ask you to also join us in this effort.
APLA is sponsoring legislation -- an Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) -- that calls on Congress to expeditiously reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act. Assembly Member Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) will author the AJR and Senator Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles) will be the Principal Senate co-author. A copy of the AJR is incorporated in this article. It will be introduced in the Assembly in the very near future.
Please join us in this exciting state legislative initiative by contacting your State Assembly Member and Senator and urge them to co-author the AJR. In addition, please send a copy of your letter to your Member of Congress and Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer since they will have the opportunity to vote on reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act.
We have attached a sample letter that will assist you in sending a message to your state legislators asking them to co-author the AJR. Make sure you include your own personal experience. Please call or email Rick Louis, APLA’s Government Affairs Assistant, at (323) 993-1378 if you need assistance in identifying your state or federal legislators.
For those with internet access state legislator information may be found at www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html; federal legislator information may be found at www.house.gov/writerep and http://www.senate.gov/.
We believe that the introduction and legislative consideration of this initiative will provide another great opportunity for consumers of services, AIDS service and community-based organizations, providers, elected officials, government agencies, and others across the state to work together toward the common goal of reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act.
Thank you for your involvement. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Please feel free to contact Herb K. Schultz, APLA’s Director of Government Affairs, if you have any questions or need additional information.
SAMPLE LETTER:
The Honorable [First name] [Last name]
State Capitol
Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: Co-authorship of Assembly Joint Resolution on Ryan White CARE Act
Dear [Assembly Member/Senator] [Last name]:
I am writing to urge you to co-author an Assembly Joint Resolution authored by Assembly Member Gil Cedillo and principal Senate co-author Senator Kevin Murray, which calls on the United States Congress to expeditiously reauthorize the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act to ensure resources are available to meet the expanding medical care and support service needs of individuals living with HIV disease.
[Please insert your personal experience here]
In California, as of January 1, 1999, more than 110,000 cases of the expanding pandemic known as AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome -- have been reported.
Advances in medical treatment have meant a decline in death rates; however, the number of new HIV infections has remained at about the same level (i.e., approximately 8,000 new infections a year in California).
Since its inception, the Ryan White CARE Act has ensured the delivery of medical care and treatment as well as essential support services to tens of thousands of Californians. It is recognized as a critical safety net program for low-income uninsured or underinsured individuals.
Given the extensive and ongoing needs of people affected by HIV/AIDS, we sincerely hope that you will co-author the Assembly Joint Resolution urging Congress to expeditiously reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act.
Sincerely,
[Name]