Cross posted any where I can
I received a call from a good friend yesterday and could not believe my ears...how many of us have followed full funding of The Ryan White Care Act? Probably none of us and now the children of Texas need our immediate help. Please take a moment today and consider calling one or all of Rep. Barton's offices. His committee is quietly putting a bill thorough that will gut funding and are only giving a few hours today to take public comment. A rumor exists that there is a rule change being attached that will not allow any further change on this bill once its through, no Senators and no Whips, to prevent public outcry from making a difference. My interest is because of what will happen to organizations that need the funding here in my county but this translates all across the Nation.
More at the flip...
If you don't know much about the funding, here are some facts of the situation and talking points:
The Ryan White Care Act funds life saving medications and supportive services for women, children and men living with HIV/AIDS.
The Act is currently being reauthorized by Congress.
The reauthorization has been handled in closed door sessions. National HIV/AIDS organizations have had less than 5 days to review and comment on this.
Under the proposed reauthorization, Texas will lose $9.5 million dollars in funding for medications and 4.5 million for supportive services.
Tarrant County will lose between $800K and 1 million dollars
The bill is in the Energy and Commerce committee, chaired by none other than Joe Barton, the second highest ranking member is Ralph Hall (R-TX)
If Joe Barton can protect energy suppliers to allow them to pollute our air, surely he can protect children living with HIV from losing their medications. Please call him and tell every one you know to put this out on the web, blogs, emails and phone calls. The only hope we have today is to get the word out quickly.
If you are unable to help, please consider a recommend to keep this on top today-thanks for any thing you can do!
Contact information for Rep. Joe Barton:
I urge each one of you to write a letter back to Barton's Offices and The Committee on Energy and Commerce members and demand an explanation of this action or call their offices one by one.
Here's how:
The Energy and Commerce Committee
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2927
Washington Office
2109 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2002
(202) 225-3052 fax
Arlington Office
6001 West I-20, Suite 200
Arlington, Texas 76017
(817) 543-1000
(817) 548-7029 fax
Ennis Office
2106 A W. Ennis Ave.
Ennis, Texas 75119
(817) 543-1000
(972) 875-1907 fax
Crockett Office
303 N. 6th St.
Crockett, TX 75835
(936) 544-8488
(877) 263-2833 Toll free from areas in the Sixth District