Links and Minifeatures 02 22 (Happy Birthday Mr. President!)

Last week I wrote about the Ryan White AIDS funding, and Senator Feinstein's office at least wrote back on topic, which is a good sign:

Dear Mr. Melson:



Thank you for writing to me regarding reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. I appreciate hearing from you on this important subject and welcome the opportunity to respond.



I view HIV/AIDS as a major public health emergency, and I will not be satisfied until we can say that AIDS is a disease of the past. When I was the Mayor of San Francisco, I had firsthand experience with the tragedy of AIDS and its devastating impact. That is why, in 1981, I began the first local AIDS program in the nation and made sure that all

AIDS budget requests were fully funded during my tenure as mayor.



I support reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, which is critical to prolonging and improving the lives of many people living with HIV/AIDS. I am pleased to inform you that both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed H.R. 6143, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006. The measure provides for a three year reauthorization of the program and will ensure stable funding for HIV/AIDS patients in California. Be assured, I will continue to work with my colleagues to address the long term needs of those living with HIV/AIDS.