Yale providers against Ryan White cuts

The White House has sent memos to key service agencies, including those funding Ryan White Care Act programs, indicating dramatic cuts to 2006 budget appropriations (see, e.g.: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58762-2004May26.html ).

The Yale AIDS Network is asking Yale providers to sign the following letter, indicating opposition to cuts in the Ryan White Care Act, which will be sent to Connecticut legislators in Washington D.C. on July 4, 2004.

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Dear Connecticut Legislator:

As people working directly with those living with HIV/AIDS in Connecticut, we are writing to tell you of the importance of programs that are funded by the Ryan White Care Act.

Each day, patients come to our offices in need of help with housing, medical bills, medication access problems, mental health issues, and food and nutritional needs. Without the RWCA, these people would have little or no resources to survive. Each dollar of the RWCA makes an important impact on the lives of those with HIV/AIDS here in Connecticut.

We are concerned by recent news stories indicating that White House memos have already instructed RWCA administrators to expect drastic cuts in next year's budget (Weisman, J. 2006 Cuts In Domestic Spending On Table. The Washington Post, 27 May 2004, Page A1). This would produce a devastating reduction in services for those with HIV/AIDS, directly resulting in immense suffering and mortality among our patients. A cut in RWCA funds would work to reverse so much of the progress we have made in reducing death tolls from HIV in our state.