Advocating for a Strong National Response to HIV/AIDS
The Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition represents 420 grantees under Title I and Title III of the Ryan White CARE Act, including the 56 major metropolitan areas most adversely affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as providers and consumers of CARE Act-funded services. The CAEAR Coalition also advocates for adequate funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in Title II of the CARE Act. As a leading voice in Washington, DC, for HIV/AIDS care and treatment and for over a decade, the CAEAR Coalition has led the successful annual federal appropriation advocacy effort for CARE Act Title I and Title III.

The CAEAR Coalition was formed in the early 1990's by representatives of the initial sixteen CARE Act Title I cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. In 1997, the CAEAR Coalition and the National Title III Coalition joined forces to provide coordinated national advocacy for Title I and Title III resources and in 2003 CAEAR Coalition began its advocacy for Title II/ADAP. The CAEAR Coalition incorporated in 1999 and is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Service code.

Grassroots Mobilization and Strong Washington Presence
During each federal funding cycle, the CAEAR Coalition advocates on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS for adequate Federal funding for CARE Act Title I, Title III, and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Every five years, during Congressional reauthorization of the CARE Act, the CAEAR Coalition works with Congress to ensure that the CARE Act continues to meet the needs of individuals and communities impacted by HIV/AIDS. To accomplish these goals, the CAEAR Coalition mobilizes communities to advocate for the CARE Act with their elected representatives in Washington and works closely with members of Congress, their staffs and Administration officials.

CARE ACT Funding: Successs and Challenges
In the time that the CAEAR Coalition has advocated for Title I funding, appropriations for Title I have increased from $88 million to almost $600 million in 2004. Since 1997, when the CAEAR Coalition and the National Title III Coalition joined forces, appropriations for Title III have risen from $76 million to almost $200 million.

Despite these successes, advocating for adequate funding for HIV/AIDS services has become increasingly challenging. Competing budgetary pressures, including the “war against terrorism” and ballooning federal budget deficits make the work of the CAEAR Coalition even more important. The CAEAR Coalition is communicating to legislators and other policy makers that critical HIV/AIDS programs like the CARE Act must not be forgotten in these times.