The house Appropriations committee is going to vote today on the Labor, HHS appropriations bill. Last week Chairman Obey took the first courageous step to end the 20 year old Federal Ban on Needle Exchange. Unfortunately, bad amendments are expected in full committee mark-up today that could re-instate the ban or restrict needle exchange programs operations. Denying someone a proven prevention strategy is denying them their human rights. We need to generate calls to Appropriators right now to ensure 20 years of misguided ideology driven HIV prevention policy comes to end today.
For some more background, check out my post from yesterday detailing the support from scientific, public health and law enforcement agencies.
You can watch the committee hearing online today here. So far a lot of jibber jabber and R posturing about ending stimulus bill, nothing on needles yet. They are adjourned for floor votes. Perfect time to make the call.
Call members of the Appropriations Committee at 202-224-3121 today.
Call:
(1) Committee Members: Ask them to support Chairman Obey’s efforts and request that they vote against any amendment to the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill that would reinstate the federal ban or put further restrictions on syringe exchange. Conclude with Clean Needles Save Lives!
(2) Chairman Obey: Thank him for his commitment to ending the 20-year prohibition on this vital, science-based harm-reduction method.
For more information syringe exchange programs and materials for advocacy, please visit Harm Reduction Coalition: Syringe Access