John Peller's blog

The Illinois Department of Insurance recently launched the new Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP).  The plan is designed for uninsured people with HIV and other preexisting conditions (including hepatitis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and others).  Because the plan is federally subsidized, the premiums are much more affordable than other high-risk insurance plans.  This is one of the first provisions of the federal health reform law that is helping people who are uninsured.

Kudos to the Illinois Department of Corrections for trying a new HIV and hepatitis treatment system!  AIDSConnect looks forward to learning more about this project. Read all about it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2010
   
Interagency Agreement between IDOC & UIC Will Treat Medical Issues
“Pilot Program has Successful Launch in Treatment of HIV and Hepatitis C.”
   

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Corrections and University of Illinois at Chicago are partnering on a new Telemedicine Pilot Program designed to bring elaborate and sophisticated healthcare to inmates with HIV and Hepatitis C.  This interagency pilot program successfully rolled out at three sites: Danville, Lincoln and Robinson Correctional Centers.

In 12 states across America, over 2,200 people are on waiting lists for HIV medications because the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is deeply under-funded. 

On Tuesday, July 13, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sibelius will announce (finally!) that the Obama administration will partially solve this problem by providing $25 million in emergency funding to states for ADAP.

(Updated 6/21/10)

Yes, we have a state budget.  Well, sort of.  Actually, it’s kinda complicated. 

Let’s break it down. 

The General Assembly passed on May 25 a state budget.  However, this budget is deeply flawed.  It doesn’t address the state’s nearly $6 billion in unpaid bills, relies too heavily on one-time revenue, and jeopardizes services for all Illinoisans.  Most importantly, legislators failed to pass new revenue, the only sustainable solution to the state’s budget problems.

Windy City Times covers the May 21 recommendation that Illinois institute a waiting list for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program:

"A state advisory panel took a huge step May 21 in the financial battle for more than 4,000 low-income Illinois residents with HIV/AIDS.

"The panel voted to urge Illinois to immediately close the AIDS Drug Assistance Program ( ADAP ) to new applicants and begin a waiting list. The recommendation is now under review by state officials.

"Because the program is deeply underfunded, Illinois must take immediate steps to preserve services for those who rely on ADAP for their lifesaving care," said David Ernesto Munar, vice president of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) and a member of the ADAP Medical Issues Advisory Board, which made the recommendation. "The program faces total fiscal collapse unless immediate actions are taken."

Read the rest.

Action needed today: Download and share this state budget petition!

At a meeting of HIV advocates and services providers on April 6, Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) director Jeff Maras predicted a grim future for people with HIV in Illinois without adequate state funding.

Rev. Al Sharp, Executive Director of Protestants for the Common Good, provides insightful but fightening information on proposed funding cuts to the Illinois Department of Human Services budget:

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for passing historic health care reform legislation last night and the thousands of AIDS advocates in Illinois and across the country who urged this critical action. This landmark legislation will expand health care access for 32 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands with HIV.

Today, 66 organizations and over 400 individuals called on Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to fairly fund HIV services in the FY 11 state budget, to be introduced March 10.

Fantastic video by Medill on Chicago Recovery Alliance, one of Chicago's oldest syringe exchange programs:

Chicago Recovery Alliances advocates safer drug use and harm reduction.

Not quite 'just say yes,' but program encourages smart drug use
by Chika S. Oduah
Feb 03, 2010