AIDS ACTION COUNCIL

Health Issues

H.R. 1616 - Early Treatment for HIV Act, all sections. Provide States the option to expand Medicaid coverage to early inter- vention, treatment, and healthcare for people living with HIV. H. R. 179, Community AIDS and Hepatitis Prevention Act, all sections. Will permit the use of Federal funds for syringe exchange programs for purposes of reducing the transmission of bloodborne pathogens, including HIV and viral hepatitis. P.L.s 111-242, 111-290, 111-317, 111-322: Series of Continuing Appropriations Acts, 2011, all Sections. (seeking to ensure ongoing funding for federal HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research functions). H.R. 4899 - Fiscal 2010 war supplemental bill as pertains to budget enforcement resolution. Sought increase of $126 million for AIDS Drug Assistance Program. H. Res. 1493 - Budget enforcement resolution. Requested increase for FY 2011 Function 550 allocation for health. S.Rept. 111-238 - Financial Services Appropriations retain current language on allowing Washington D.C. to use federal funds for syringe access programs. Inclusion of $1.4 million for implementation of National HIV/AIDS Strategy. S.Rept. 111-243 - Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, support increased funding for NIH, HRSA and CDC including HIV prevention, treatment, education, training and care, and research. Retain current language on allowing use of federal funds for syringe access programs. End funding for abstinence-only program. H.Rept. 111-564/S.Rept. 111-230 - Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. Support increased funding for Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA). S.611/H.R.1551: The Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, all Sections. Support state grants (and evaluation of grants) for family life education programs, including education on abstinence and contraception for the prevention of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS. H.R.1429: The Stop AIDS in Prison Act, all Sections. Support development of a comprehensive policy to provide HIV testing, treatment, and prevention for inmates within the correctional setting and upon reentry. (Note: passed House Mar. 17th and now received for action in Senate Judiciary Committee). H.R. 3001: "Ending LGBT Health Disparities Act," all Titles. Specific support for optional Medicaid coverage of low-income HIV-infected individuals and allowing costs incurred by AIDS drug assistance programs in providing prescription drugs count toward the annual out-of-pocket threshold under Medicare part D. H.R. 1964: "National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009," all Titles. H.R. 2137: "Routine HIV Screening Coverage Act of 2009," all Sections. H.R. 4140: "Increasing Access to Voluntary Screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs Act of 2009," all Titles. S.3878/H.R. 6283: "Repealing Ineffective and Incomplete Abstinence-Only Program Funding Act," all Sections. (Seeking to strike Title V, Section 510 from the Social Security Act).