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Compiled by GayToday National Stonewall Democrats Washington, D.C. -White House efforts to once again submit a budget that includes no increased funding for the Ryan White CARE Act, were denounced yesterday by the National Stonewall Democrats. The budget provides no federal funds to those assisting people living with HIV/AIDS. President Bush flat funded the Act with his first budget last year. Now, with his 2003 budget released today, President Bush is seeking to stall domestic HIV/AIDS spending for the second straight year. "President Bush's budget refuses to aggressively address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in America," said Chad Johnson, NSD Executive Director. "The President's growing record on HIV/AIDS policy indicates that he favors abstinence and ignorance over solutions and science." In his 2003 budget, President Bush increases funding for abstinence programs by 33% while flat funding both the Ryan White CARE Act and HIV/AIDS prevention efforts operated by the Centers for Disease Control. The President's budget also proposes to decrease federal funds available to the CDC's infectious disease control programs. President Bush recently appointed a heavy number of abstinence-only advocates to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS. The Ryan White CARE Act was passed on August 18, 1990. The Act provides funds to local governments and organizations that care for those living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. |
