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.

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.

The ongoing AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) crisis has spurred many across the country to become engaged in AIDS advocacy.  Shocking headlines and tragic statistics have raised the profile and intensity of AIDS advocacy efforts to the highest levels in years.  However, we as advocates know that avoiding the next ADAP crisis will require sustained and determined movement building and the long-term engagement of grassroots advocates.

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.   

We know you’ve called and emailed, but we need to keep the pressure up. Around America, nearly 1,800 people in 10 states can’t get the HIV medications they need to stay healthy and alive because of the woefully underfunded AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), and people with HIV in Illinois now face the same fate.

Finally, some good news in the public health field!  STD testing is back at Cook County Jail, and voluntary HIV testing will soon be offered to all detainees on intake.  From the press release:

"Bridget Gainer, Cook County Board Commissioner, Sheriff Tom Dart and AIDS Foundation of Chicago gathered today to officially launch the HIV/STD testing at the Cook County Jail. Using the newly designed medical intake facilities, all detainees who come through the jail will be offered testing for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. Nearly 100,000 people each year are processed

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.

One of most common barriers keeping non-profits from lobbying elected officials is the belief that it is illegal for 501(c)3 organizations to engage in this kind of activity. 

Guess what - not true!

Not only can 501(c)3 organizations engage in certain types of lobbying, its a right that is protected by law.

This presentation provides a general overview of everything non-profit leaders need to know about their right to engage their elected officials.  Find out the difference between advocacy, direct and grassroots lobbying, and what your organization can do to advance policies important to you and your constituents.

Check out this great resource!

NOTE: This presentation should not be construed as legal advice (we are NOT lawyers).  This is a general resource to help non-profits begin to learn their rights.  More in-depth information available from great organizations such as Alliance for Justice.

An Evening With Rae: Meet, Greet
A Social Media Event For A Socially Conscious Cause

Thursday, July 15, 2010, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Encore Liquid Lounge
171 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL

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You are cordially invited to An Evening With Rae: Meet, Greet, and Tweet, hosted by Emmy Award winning AIDS Activist Rae Lewis-Thornton. Join us on Thursday, July 15, 2010 for a “Social Media Event for a Socially Conscious Cause.”

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