Groups Protest OMB Cuts in AIDS Research Funds; OMB Redirects Funds to Anthrax Vaccine Purchase 5/6/2003
From: Chris Collins of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC), 917-952-5356 NEW YORK, May 6 -- The following statement was released today by the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC): Several AIDS organizations today vigorously protested the decision by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to redirect monies from the research budget of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) toward bulk purchase of anthrax vaccines. NIAID funds vital research on AIDS and other infectious disease threats, and the Institute must not be hampered by budget cuts made unilaterally by OMB. The urgency of addressing potential bioterrorism threats such as anthrax is clear, but attempting to cut corners by shifting money from research into diseases that cause untold deaths around the world every day is a short-sighted, misguided policy, that pits one deadly disease against others. Instead of robbing NIH and delaying research into vaccines and better treatments for AIDS and other diseases, OMB should direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to fully fund the anthrax vaccine contracts. The cuts mandated by OMB will reduce the number and duration of current AIDS research grants. Such cuts will severely impact promising research on AIDS, asthma, and other major infectious and allergic diseases that kill thousands of Americans each year. We call on OMB and the Administration to immediately restore the cuts made to the NIAID research budget, and urge that a more appropriate funding stream such as DHS is utilized for the bulk purchase of anthrax vaccines. Signed: ACT UP Philadelphia Contact: Allison Dinsmore AIDS Action Baltimore Contact: Lynda Dee, 410-332-1170 AIDS Foundation of Chicago AIDS Project Los Angeles Contact: Nicole Russo-Okamoto, (Press Contact) 213-201-1363 Phil Curtis, (Policy Contact) 213-201-1623 AIDS Treatment Data Network Contact: Lei Chou, 212-260-8868, ext.21 AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) Contact: Chris Collins, 917-952-5356 American Foundation for AIDS Research Cascade AIDS Project Center for Health and Gender Equity Contact: Jodi Jacobson Florida AIDS Action Contact: Mary Ann Green, 813-974-4892 Gay Men's Health Crisis Contact: Lynn Schulman, 212-367-1210 L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Contact: Joshua Bobrowsky, 323-860-7360 Lifelong AIDS Alliance National Minority AIDS Council Project Inform Contact: Anne Donnelly, 415-558-8669 ext. 208 Title II Community AIDS National Network Treatment Action Group (TAG) Contact: Mark Harrington, 212-253-7922 or 917-447-1657 |