DATE: July 21, 1998

TO: SIDS Alliance Affiliates

FROM: Judith S. Jacobson

RE: H.R. 4274 -- the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill

We have received a request from Marcia Mabee, Executive Director of the Coalition for Health Funding to assist in securing support for the H.R. 4274 -- the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill. H.R. 4274 includes funding for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development SIDS research program including the Back to Sleep campaign; Maternal and Child Health Bureau Block Grants, the National SIDS and Infant Death Program Support Center and National SIDS Resource Center; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The following Members have been identified to be approached at this time:

Please have your constituents contact these Members asking for their support on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill (H.R. 4274) when it comes up for a vote next week. The message is: Support health programs by voting YES on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill and oppose any floor amendments that would cut health funding to restore funding for other programs. Members can be reached via the Capital Hill switchboard at (202)225-3121 or e-mail as identified above.

(The bill is expected to undergo changes to address the concerns of these Members during conference but it can't go to conference without passing the House first.)