August 8, 2005

SAVE ADAP is kicking off our August campaign by asking people around the country to write a letter to President Bush asking him to provide adequate funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

ADAP has been underfunded for the past several years, forcing many states to create waiting lists and other program restrictions. While experts have determined that a $303 million increase is needed in the Fiscal Year 2006 appropriations bill to alleviate the ADAP crisis, President Bush is only asking for a $10 million increase. So far, Congress is going along with that request and ADAP is likely headed for another year of crisis, with even more states unable to provide drugs to those who need them.

It is not too late! President Bush can tell leaders in Congress that he wants a higher increase for ADAP in the final appropriations bill.

That is why we are asking you to write a letter asking him to take leadership on this life and death issue. SAVE ADAP is collecting these letters and will both fax them to the White House and hand deliver to key members of the Bush Administration.

Over the past few years, your calls and emails have made a big difference. We have educated Congress and the Bush Administration about the ADAP crisis and it is one of the few health care programs that receives any increased funding. Now it's time to take another step and tell President Bush that it's not enough and that we are going to continue speaking out until everyone in the country has access to lifesaving drugs!

What you can do:
Please write a short letter to President Bush urging him to support a $303 million increase for ADAP. Below is a sample letter for you to use. Add a couple of sentences about how ADAP has helped you or people you care about, or simply why you want the federal government to give adequate funding to this program.

This letter can be from organizations and individuals. Once you've written your letter, ask others to do the same! Your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors – they don't need to be familiar with ADAP, just share your belief that no one should be on a waiting list for drugs they need to stay alive and be healthy. If you work for an organization, encourage your clients to write a letter. You can collect them and send to us in a bunch.

Make sure you include your name and mailing address on the letter. Our goal is to have letters from all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the territories.

You can mail, fax, or email your letter to us:

Sample letter:

Date

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush,

I am very concerned that Americans living with HIV/AIDS around the country are unable to get life-saving drugs from their state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Because of the financial crisis facing ADAP, many states have been forced to create waiting lists, close their program to new enrollees, and/or make other harmful changes.

Experts have determined that a $303 million increase for ADAP is badly needed for Fiscal Year 2006 to clear the waiting lists and ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS can gain access to the program. Congress is only proposing a very inadequate $10 million increase for ADAP for FY 06. This will guarantee that the ADAP crisis will worsen and that even more states will be unable to make sure that their citizens will receive the drugs they need.

We need your leadership on this life and death issue. Everyone living with HIV/AIDS should have access to the drugs that are vital to stay alive, healthy and productive. Please tell Congress that you strongly support a $ 303 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program for FY 06 in the final appropriations bill.

Thank you for your consideration. Only you can provide the leadership to help Congress do the right thing for Americans living with HIV/AIDS.

Sincerely,