Senate ADAP funding bill to hit floor Sept. 2 as part of Labor/HHS Appropriations bill.
Executive Summary
SENATE ADAP FUNDING BILL TO HIT FLOOR SEPT. 2 as part of the Labor & HHS appropriations bill scheduled for floor consideration following the August Congressional recess. The House Labor/HHS appropriations bill is scheduled to reach the floor the second week of September. The Senate bill (S 1061) allocates $217 mil. for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, while the House bill (HR 2264) affords ADAPs with $299 mil. While both appropriations are substantially higher than the Clinton Administration's FY 1998 budget request of $167 mil. for the program, the Administration is supporting the higher amount included in the House bill; the ADAP Working Group, composed of AIDS advocacy groups and pharmaceutical companies, predicted in an April report that state ADAPs would need $299 mil. in federal support during fiscal 1998 ("The Pink Sheet" April 21, T&G-5).