aidsconnect's blog

But what about everything else?

WHEW! Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) clients and AIDS advocates breathed a sigh of relief on July 16. State public health officials announced that day that Governor Quinn had allocated enough state funding to avoid an ADAP waiting list or major cost containment. THANK GOVERNOR QUINN!

But will people with HIV have access to housing and care programs that help them connect to ADAP and stay healthy? Will people at risk of HIV be able to turn to HIV prevention programs to help them stay negative? Last year, these programs were cut by over $7 million. Make sure they’re not cut again!

There’s a small window of opportunity for Gov. Quinn to make sure people with HIV have housing and services to help them access medical care and to ensure that HIV prevention programs are adequately funded. Tell Governor Quinn: Thanks for funding ADAP… don’t forget community programs!

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and the Ryan White Part B Collar Counties Consortia mourn the loss of John Henry Turner, LCSW.

John was a senior level professional at Catholic Charities of Lake County responsible for the day to day operations of the HIV and emergency assistance programs. John was a warm and caring individual who successfully coupled his background in clinical psychology with his talent for program administration. John was a thinker and availed himself of opportunities that refined his ability to provide effective solutions to difficult situations. You could always count on John’s smile, sincerity and commitment to give more than what was expected or required of him. John was a proven leader, team builder and dynamic communicator. Even the in the wake of severe illness, John was the consummate professional able to remain focused on the quality of work produced by his team. John Turner was a portrait of courage and will be deeply missed.

Today, July 13, 2010, could be a turning point in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States.

In a few short hours, I will be at the White House watching as President Obama and other federal officials unveil the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). This landmark document makes recommendations that, if followed, will reduce the number of new HIV infections in the U.S. while greatly increasing the quality of care for individuals who are living with HIV/AIDS.

As pleased as I am that this day has finally arrived―after three years of tireless advocacy―I know full well that this is just the beginning; with NHAS, we now have a plan of action to achieve better results in the fight against the epidemic.  It demands that we act forcefully and with resolve!  We certainly have a start as the President himself is standing behind the Strategy’s cogent vision that we should all strive toward:

“The United States will become a place where new HIV infections are rare, and when they do occur every person regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or social/economic status will have unfettered access to high-quality, life-extending care, free from stigma or discrimination.”

Obama Administration Unveils First-Ever National Plan to Fight Domestic HIV Epidemic
National HIV/AIDS Strategy will target most vulnerable populations

After three years of rigorous grassroots advocacy, the Obama Administration will release the country’s first National HIV/AIDS Strategy on Tuesday, July 13.  The unprecedented plan sets forth an ambitious agenda to effectively address the domestic U.S. HIV epidemic.

Tuesday afternoon, administration officials will brief the public on the main features of the Strategy and will hold a reception to honor representatives from more than 200 HIV/AIDS organizations from around the country.

You may be familiar with the Kaiser Family Foundation’s coverage of past international AIDS conferences. With the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010) just one week away, Kaiser is pleased to announce that again this year, we are the official webcaster of its proceedings, providing viewers with access to webcasts (some live) and coverage of the daily developments from the conference in Vienna, Austria, starting Sunday, July 18.  Our main coverage page is http://www.kff.org/aids2010.

By Robert Pear via the New York Times

WASHINGTON — President Obama will unveil a new national strategy this week to curb the AIDS epidemic by slashing the number of new infections and increasing the number of people who get care and treatment.

“Annual AIDS deaths have declined, but the number of new infections has been static and the number of people living with H.I.V. is growing,” says a final draft of the report, obtained by The New York Times.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn announced today that state funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides life-saving HIV medications to low-income people with HIV, will be sufficient to “serve approximately 4,500 clients a month – an increase of 400” program recipients.  In the last nine months, the program provided HIV/AIDS medications to an average of 4,165 Illinoisans per month and the number of new enrollees continues to climb. 

The announcement was made when the Governor signed into law a state budget that cuts overall spending by $1.4 billion. Quinn’s budget includes a $17 million funding reduction for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), which supports critical HIV/AIDS and public health services.  No HIV programs were specifically listed for funding reductions.

In May, a state advisory panel recommended that Illinois institute a waiting list for ADAP because program costs are far outstripping available revenue.  A waiting list would create unacceptable health risks for low-income people with HIV, including unnecessary hospitalizations, sickness, disability, and even early death.   

via the Huffington Post

Dear Friends of the LGBT community,

As a gay man living with HIV, I am feeling really conflicted during this month of LGBT Pride. I know I am supposed to be awash in warm, fuzzy feelings of pride and joy, and that I should have lots of parties and the big parade on my agenda.

But you know what? Not so much.

While curmudgeon is becoming more and more an apt description of yours truly, and while I applaud the community's herculean efforts around important issues such as marriage equality and repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," I have noticed over the last several years that one issue in particular gets a collective "ho, hum, been there, done that." And that issue is HIV.

HIV negative men, who are circumcised and 18-45 years old are needed to participate in an HIV vaccine research study. Subjects will receive compensation for participating. The study should last approximately 3 years. Subjects cannot get HIV from the vaccine. This is a randomized study, which means you may get the vaccine or a placebo.

The Principal Investigator for this study is Dr. Richard M. Novak, Dept.of Medicine, 840 S Wood. For more information, please call 800-575-5758, 312-413-5897 or email wish@uic.edu

Protocol # 2009-0355.

Detailed information is available at: www.hopetakesaction.org

This week, the Illinois General Assembly sent Governor Pat Quinn a state budget bill (HB 859) that gives him unprecedented ability to fund - or not fund - state programs in fiscal year 2011. The ball is in the governor's court.

HB 859 gives Governor Quinn sole authority to allocate funding to lifesaving HIV programs such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), HIV prevention programs, and housing and care services.  Though the Governor will have large pots of funding to allocate among various priorities, it  is painfully clear that the need far outpaces available funding. 

On May 21, a state public health advisory panel recommended that Illinois immediately institute a waiting list for ADAP because available funding was insufficient to maintain the program in the face of extraordinary growth.  HIV advocates, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC), and legislative allies urge Quinn to provide $9.68 million in additional funding to maintain ADAP, as well as $7.4 million to restore previous cuts to HIV prevention, housing, and care programs.