The AmFAR Report

larly pressing issue, tuberculosis.
Conducted through the State
University of New York Health
Science Center to find thoughtful
ways to prevent further tuberculosis infection, the study produced a
report included in "The Tuberculosis Revival: Individual Rights and
Societal Obligations in a Time of
AIDS". Dr. Sheldon Landesman, an
author of the study, points out the
need for AmFAR's grants program.
"The TB revival report funded by
AmFAR and the United Hospital
Fund has had its intended purpose
fulfilled. It has stimulated debate
and had a great impact on new and
more humane policy formation."
Two other studies funded
through AmFAR's public policy
grants program focus on "needle
exchange" programs. One, conducted through the AIDS Project of
the American Civil Liberties Union,
represents defendants in needle
exchange cases and sends educational information to groups who
want to start needle exchange
programs. The study has also
provided policy advocates who
lobbied the California state legislature to pass a bill to legalize needle.
exchange in California. The other
study, through the Columbia
University School of Public Health,
examines the conditions for successful legal reforms as well as past
resistance to such reforms. The
study investigates the reasons why
some states support needle exchange and why others, because of
socio-political differences, have
opposed such programs. AmFAR
has been instrumental in changing
needle exchange policies in many
states around the country.
Legal: Amicus Briefs
One of AmFAR's priorities is
advocating for the rights of people
with AIDS. With that in mind,
AmFAR has signed onto several
amicus briefs. Amicus curiae, which

means "friend of the court," are
briefs filed to assist courts in
making judgements. By signing

onto such briefs, AmFAR helps the
court to better understand complex
AIDS-related issues. At the same"
time, AmFAR can act as an advocate. For example, in Application of
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center,
AmFAR signed onto an amicus brief
filed by the Lambda Legal Defense
and Education Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union. The case,
the first under Pennsylvania's AIDS
confidentiality law, addresses the
critical question of whether a
hospital has a "compelling need" to
release information about an
infected physician to his patients.
Emergency Grants,Apart from its regular public policy
grants program, AmFAR is ready to

respond to emergencies. The
Foundation demonstrated its
commitment to the defense of
people with HIV/AIDSin September when AmFAR awarded $10,000
in emergency funding to New York
City's Center for Constitutional
Rights (CCR), a public interest law
firm defending 300 HIV-positive
Haitian political refugees detained
at Camp Bulkley, GuantanamoBay,
Cuba. The funds were given to CCR
to underwrite litigation costs in the
defense of the refugees. "Through
the legal work we've done, we're
getting doctors and lawyers in there
for the first time and we are finally
getting press access to show how
inhumane the camp is", says
Michael Ratner,a CCR attorney.
"We are pressuring Clinton to

NORA ADVISES CLINTON TEAM
ON NEW AIDS STRATEGY
ORA, National Organizations Responding to AIDS, is a coalition of
150 national non-profit organizations committed to developing
humane federal AIDS policy. The coalition was convened in 1987
by the AIDS Action Council, a Washington, D.C.-based national AIDS lobby,
in response to discriminatory public policy issues related to AIDS. NORA's
membership includes medical, mental health, public health, legal, education
and social service professionals; people with AIDS, the clergy, people of color,
labor unions, and gay and lesbian dommunities. The coalition meets monthly
to discuss new AIDS policy issues and to determine direction for legislative
action. AmFAR is co-chair of the NORA Research Task Force.
NORA has become an influential voice in the development of national
AIDS policy. During the 102nd Congress, NORA lobbied aggressively on
health care worker and patient testing issues, anid was successful in gaining
funding increases in housing and the Ryan White CARE Bill, which provides
emergency assistance for communities and states hardest hit by the AIDS
epidemic.
At a press conference held in Washington, D.C. on December 9, NORA
presented "An Agenda on AIDS for the New Administration and Congress",
the coalition's official document outlining recommendations for federal AIDS
policy. At the press conference, Jane Silver presented the guidelines for
research. Speaking of the 4overnment's response and proposed changes from
the new administration, she said, "President-elect Clinton is to be commended
for what he has already promised. But we must turn words into work. We are
far behind the epidemic. In terms of structure, we must turn plans into
programs. And finally, in terms of funding, we must turn determination into
dollars. We don't have a minute to waste." '