Photo credit: psd
Are you near a phone? Take a minute to call in and ask your congressional representative to save the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). As previously reported, the ADAP crisis is growing monthly and funding is needed to keep life-saving medications in the hands of those who need them most but cannot afford them. Rallies in North and South Carolina at the state capitals were held yesterday to demand emergency funding for the 1,143 people on the waiting list. Local non-profit organization AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families has put out a call to action. The organization, based in Northwest DC, has asked members of the community, activists, supporters, and other organizations to call in and ask their representative to make ADAP a priority.
Don’t know what to say? Here’s the script:
Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and leave the following message:
* My name is _______ and I am calling today to ask that President Obama take action to address the current crisis in AIDS Drug Assistance Programs.
* These programs provide life-saving medications to HIV-positive individuals who have no other access to care.
* However, over 1,000 HIV-positive individuals are on waiting lists to receive their medications.
* Action must be taken to ensure that ADAP clients can receive their medications and the situation does not get any worse.
Call your Members of Congress. If you know your Members of Congress you can dial the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121. If you do not know who your Senators or Representatives are, click here for senate and here for house .
When you've reached the offices leave the following message:
* My name is __________ and I am calling today to urge Senator __________ (or Representative__________) to increase funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs.
* These programs provide life-saving medications to HIV-positive individuals who have no other access to care.
* However, over 1,000 HIV-positive individuals are on waiting lists in ten states to receive their medications. Other states are poised to start waiting lists, and the situation is going to get much worse if there are no additional immediate resources.
* Many other states have reduced eligibility or removed drugs from their formularies.
* Please support all efforts to increase resources to ADAP in order to help people living with HIV/AIDS.
Get tested. Get care. Get involved.
Comments