Action Alert!

CARE Act reauthorization is critical

By HERB K. SCHULTZ

Since its inception in 1990, the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act has ensured the delivery of medical care and treatment and support services to hundreds of thousands of Americans living with HIV disease.

Congressional committees will soon begin discussion about reauthorization of the CARE Act, which expires on Sept. 30. Reauthorization of this vital program is absolutely essential. The CARE Act has provided a critical safety net for tens of thousands of low-income uninsured and underinsured individuals in California.

AIDS Project Los Angeles recently invited hundreds of individuals to join in a statewide effort designed to help ensure the reauthorization of the CARE Act. We would like to ask you to also join us in this effort.

APLA is sponsoring an Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) that calls on Congress to expeditiously reauthorize the CARE Act. Assembly Member Gil Cedillo (D-L.A.) will author the AJR and Sen. Kevin Murray (D-L.A.) will be the principal Senate co-author.

Please urge your state Assembly member and senator to co-author the AJR. In addition, please send a copy of your letter to your member of Congress and Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer since they will have the opportunity to vote on reauthorization of the CARE Act.

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 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 CARE Act.

Together, we can continue to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

A copy of the Assembly Joint Resolution is available by calling Rick Louis, Government Affairs assistant, at (323) 993-1378, or by visiting the AIDS Project Los Angeles web site, www.APLA.org.

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