aidsconnect's blog

A ubiquitous nugget of pop culture advice (“Put a ring on it!”) is the tagline of a new public awareness campaign launched today by a coalition of health organizations that aims to increase the use of a new-and-improved female condom among both women and men.

Facing a grim state financial situation, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today proposed a fiscal year 2011 state budget that underfunds HIV prevention and care services by nearly $22 million.  The budget plan relies on a mix of cuts to programs, borrowing, and federal funding.  Gov.

Via Chicago Free Press March 3, 2010

Job loss, program cuts, fears of more HIV infection. Call them the new economic realities for the agencies that serve the GLBT community.

Donations are down even at food pantries--like Vital Bridges (left) which serves Chicagoans living with HIV

Whether they’re helping Chicago GLBTs put food on the table, working to secure and defend their civil rights, offering HIV prevention services or serving the medical needs of the community; almost every GLBT non-profit in Chicago has been negatively impacted by the economy. Many experts fear this is only the beginning. “Every facet of life in the state for vulnerable people is going to be impacted,” predicts John Peller, Director of Governmental Affairs at AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Governor Quinn released a preliminary budget outline on February 24 that highlights the consequences of the state budget disaster: $2 billion more in cuts to programs, a massive budget deficit, and $11 billion in unpaid bills. Taken together, the budget problems predict massive harm for vulnerable people, and particularly people with and at risk of HIV. 

But for the first time, you have the chance to publicly tell Governor Quinn what to include in his state budget proposal before it’s released next Wednesday, March 10. Visit budget.illinois.gov right now and ask for the following two things:

1. Tell Governor Quinn that people with and at risk of HIV need a responsible and balanced budget solution:

PREVENT A HORROR-MOVIE ENDING: PASS HEALTH REFORM NOW!

Healthcare advocates expect excessively shaky camera work at Thursday’s high-stakes meetings, to be held at the Blair House in Washington. Will our leaders break the political impasse to bring about real health care reform? Or will they sentence lifesaving legislation to permanent banishment in the woods?

During Thursday’s nationally televised summit on health reform, President Obama and congressional leaders must chart a course out of the political thicket obstructing final passage for health reform legislation.  The hopes of tens of millions of uninsured Americans—and tens of millions more who will surely lose affordable coverage—rests in the outcome of this meeting. 

Contact Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid NOW and urge them to do whatever it takes to pass comprehensive health reform through budget reconciliation.  Call them—and your own members of Congress toll-free at: 1 (800) 828-0498. Go to www.congress.org to find out who represents you.

IL HIV/AIDS Lobby Days Training

March 11, 2010, 5-7pm

AIDS Foundation of Chicago
200 W Jackson Blvd., #2200
Chicago, IL 60606

*Some refreshments provided*

Please RSVP to attend: bcadoff@aidschicago.org
www.aidschicago.org/lobbydays

The Responsible Budget Coalition’s “We Can’t Wait” Campaign is now underway! Show lawmakers and everyone else how we are all hurt by the state's broken budget.

This campaign gives you an easy way to tell your story AND to mobilize your community to take action in support of tax reform that will (1) raise revenue and (2) make taxes fairer.

Check out the campaign video here!

The Illinois House Appropriations-Human Services Committee held a hearing on the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) funding on Friday, January 22, 2010 at James R. Thompson Center. Check out videos of advocate testimonials detailing the impact of cuts in funding for HIV care, prevention, and housing services as well as the rising need for HIV/AIDS medications provided through ADAP.

Watch all of the videos here.

Tell Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to include $18 million in new HIV funding in his fiscal year 2011 state budget.  Your voice is needed now to restore funding for programs that are being cut today and avert even more devastating cuts next fiscal year. 

Sign the letter to Gov. Pat Quinn asking him to fully fund the HIV sector in his budget proposal!

This year, Illinois salvaged the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) by cutting funding from other vital HIV state programs. This tactic will accelerate the state’s long-term HIV/AIDS crisis by weakening prevention and care programs that help to curb the epidemic.  An $18 million budget increase will protect all essential services—including HIV prevention, care, housing and ADAP—from crushing budget reductions.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) joins service providers and clients in mourning the loss of long-time HIV/AIDS housing advocate Gwendolyn Mastin. Mastin, who passed on January 29, launched in 1991 the New Phoenix Assistance Center, one of Chicago’s first scattered-site HIV/AIDS housing programs.

New Phoenix provides transitional housing and support services for women in the Greater Chicago area who are homeless and may be infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Gwen also developed a culturally competent pregnancy prevention initiative for teens. The center has served more than 5,700 people since it was founded. Gwen was a generous and spirited activist who will be greatly missed by the HIV/AIDS community. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to his family, friends, and colleagues.