/ ActionLink
an interactive source for social change
September 2004/Issue 2action for social change through public policy research, advocacy and community education
In This Issue
- Online with the ED
- HIV/AIDS in an Election Year – AIDSVote.org
- Department Updates
- Public Policy Research & Advocacy
- Community Education
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Current Activities
- Paradise is Calling
- News,Events & Happenings
Current Issues
History & Programs
Become Involved
Support Our Work
Volunteer
Events
The AIDS Institute is a national nonprofit organization affiliated with the Division of Infectious Diseases, University of South Florida, College of Medicine.
TAI’s HOT Link
(this issue’s website/page to visit):
Gill Foundation & the Democracy Project
"There is no such thing as absolute value in this world. You can only estimate what a thing is worth to you." ~Charles Dudley Warner
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Board Bio…
This month we focus on TAI Board Member Deloris Dockrey
Deloris Dockrey joined the Board of Directors of The AIDS Institute this year. Deloris serves as the Executive Director of the Ryan White CARE Act Title I EMA Health Services Planning Council in Newark, New Jersey. A native of Jamaica, Delorisholds a Masters ofPublic Health degree and has been active in national and global HIV advocacy efforts. She has servedas an officer on the CAEAR CoalitionBoard of Directors and currently serves as an officer on the Board of Directors of theGlobal Networkof People Living with HIV/AIDS North America
(GNP+NA).
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Meet the TAI Team
Dr. Gene Copello, Executive Director, 813-974-2598
Markus Bell, Public Policy Associate, 850-656-2437, ext. 300
Jesse Fry, Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy, 850-222-9580
Mary Ann T. Green, Director of Communications, 813-974-4892
Drew McCarthy, Director of Global Affairs, 202-746-5221
Denise Ruppal, Director of Finance, 813-974-2598
Michael Ruppal, Associate Executive Director, 813-974-2598
Michelle Scavnicky, Director of Community Education, 813-974-7958
Amanda Diers Schall, Assistant Director of Policy Research,813-974-2838
Carl Schmid, Director of Federal Affairs, 202-299-9430
Frederick Wright, Volunteer Coordinator, 813-974-5592
For more information, visit us online at theaidsinstitute.org
“If you ask me what I came to do in this world… I am here to live out loud.” ~ Emile Zola
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Learn more about where Presidential candidates stand on HIV/AIDS related issues by visiting:
The AIDS Institute
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ActionLink
Editor:
Mary Ann T. Green
813-974-4892
Contributors:
Dr. Gene Copello
Paul Feldman
Jesse Fry
Drew McCarthy
Michael Ruppal
Michelle Scavnicky
Amanda Schall
Carl Schmid
Frederick Wright
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Volunteer Spotlight
As Volunteer Coordinator for The AIDS Institute, I would like to spotlight two of our long time volunteers.
First, a registered nurse/ clinical nurse specialist that has found time to donate numerous hours of volunteer time to The AIDS Institute during the last two years. JoAnn Green, who has a Masters of Science in Nursing, is one of our most beloved volunteers at TAI.
Likewise, we’d like to recognize Marion J. Riggs, a graduate student in Biomathematics at the University of South Florida (USF) who has also donated numerous hours of volunteer time to The AIDS Institute and has become a very effective AIDS advocate helping in the Global AIDS arena.
On behalf of The AIDS Institute, I like would like to thank both of these outstanding community leaders for the selfless giving of their time and talent to our community and The AIDS Institute.
To learn more about volunteering with The AIDS Institute, contact Frederick Wrightat 813-334-6959.
The AIDS Institute
action for social change
800 779 4898
theaidsinstitute.org /
Online with the ED
~ by Dr. Gene Copello, Executive Director, The AIDS Institute
This is an important time for AIDS advocacy. Election season is upon us. Local, state and national elections will be taking place that will impact healthcare policy. The AIDS Institute believes it is critical that all candidates understand the seriousness of the AIDSpandemic – in their communities, the nation and the world. Therole government plays in AIDS prevention, treatment and research iscentral to our ability to address this public health crisis.To that end,we encourage ActionLink readersto inform all candidates of the need for increased government fundingfor, and coordination of, AIDS programs and services. Those aspiring toelected offices need to hear from all of us about the impact of AIDS.Likewise, the federal appropriations season is upon us. Another reason why this is an importanttime for AIDS advocacy. Congress will be returning from its summer recessafter LaborDay.The new federal fiscal year will begin on October 1st. Thus, Septemberisa crucial time to contact your two federal Senators and your memberoftheHouse of Representatives. Explain to themhow AIDS has impacted yourlocal community and how importantfederally funded AIDS programs are to your area. Also,remind them of the importance of funding from the United Statesfor global AIDS programs. We need toencouragemembers of Congress to fund all AIDS programs at the highestpossible levels.If you need to identify your members of Congress or need their contact information, go toCongress.org.
The AIDS Institute is here to assist you with questions you may have about talking withcongressional offices.Write us at.
I hope you find this issue of ActionLink informative and helpful.Thank you for being part of our readership and part of our mission to promote social change through public policy research, advocacy, and community education.
HIV/AIDS in an Election Year – AIDSVote.org
Wondering how to vote in the upcoming November elections? Confused about what your non-profit can legally due to educate communities during an election year without crossing “the line”?
Then you need to visitAIDSVote.org. Part of an extensive voter education and issue advocacy campaign endorsed by more than 200 of the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS organizations, AIDSVote.org features breaking news, information on the candidates, as well as tips on non-profit advocacy.The site provides detailed profiles describing President George W. Bush's and Senator John Kerry's public records on HIV/AIDS issues, including their actions and positions on global AIDS, Medicaid, the Ryan White CARE Act, HIV prevention and education, research, housing, public benefits, immigrationand the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
These profiles, which you can read online by clicking “The Candidates” in the navigation bar at the top of the AIDSVote.orghome page, are part of a campaign to make AIDS adefining issue in this year’s upcoming November election.
Moreover, AIDSVote.org has teamed up with the Alliance for Justiceto help you and your non-profit organization make the most of your advocacy efforts. According to Dr. Copello, “We all know that non-profits play key roles in educating both elected officials and voters on vital issues, so it’s crucial that we all understand how to carry out safe and legal advocacy during an election year.”
As noted on the AIDSVote.org website,federal law allows all tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations to engage in election-related activities including voter education, voter registration, get-out-the-vote, and candidate education.
However, these activities must be nonpartisan and directed to all candidates from all parties.Tax-exempt organizations may not link their efforts to a specific party nor endorse candidates.
For more information on allowable non-profit advocacy, you can visit the Alliance for Justicewebsite. Or, visit theAIDSVote.orgwebsite and download materials.
To become involved in AIDS advocacy work, please contact The AIDS Institute at , or call 813-974-2598.
Public Policy Research & Advocacy
Global News…Politics vs. Humanity– The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is at risk of not receiving $120 million in matching US funds due to a US law requiring our nation’s contributions not exceed more than 1/3rd of the Fund’s total budget. The Administration has granted a six week extension to the Global Fund in an effort to help them secure pledged monies from other contributor nations.
The Administration has said that funds not committed to the Global Fund by the new September 31 deadline would still be used for global HIV purposes. However, activists are concerned about this because the Global Fund's guidelines for use of the money by Fund recipients allow for greater local control while current US global policies are more limiting.
Congress has allocated $547 million for the Global Fund this year, dependent upon $1.11 billion in contributions from other countries. According the Global Fund’s website:
Since 2001, the Global Fund has attracted $4.7 billion in financing through 2008. In its first two rounds of grant-making, it has committed $1.5 billion in funding to support 154 programs in 93 countries worldwide.
Additionally, Drew McCarthy, Director of Global Affairs, has held recent meetings with the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Global Health Council, the Global AIDS Alliance and the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), among other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), working on the global HIV epidemic. These meetings have focused on potential ways that The AIDS Institute and the other NGOs can work on increasing local community involvement in the global battle against HIV. Additionally, TAI has met with officials from the government of Mexico's AIDS programs, USAID, as well as several private organizations that are interested in advancing public-private partnerships in the battle against HIV/AIDS in the developing world.
National News…
Statement of Principles– On August 10, 2004, The AIDS Institute made public its Statement of Principlesin anticipation of the 2005 reauthorization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. This document is the result of dedicated work by TAI’s Board and staff and outlines the philosophy by which The AIDS Institute believes the CARE Act should be reauthorized. The document states that: “Until there is a cure, we must ensure that no person infected with HIV/AIDS suffers needlessly. We must strive to create and maintain a government response to this disease that is competent, consistent, and fair. Human dignity deserves no less.”
The Statement of Principles overwhelmingly supports recommendations proposed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM)’s report entitled “Public Financing and Delivery of HIV Care, Securing the Legacy of Ryan White”. The IOM report recommends, among other things, an entitlement program specifically designed to address the needs of individuals living with HIV and AIDS. A more detailed paper based on these principles is anticipated to be completed in the fall.
Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization Meeting – The AIDS Institute and AmericanAcademy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) hosted the Ryan White Reauthorization Workgroupmeeting of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership on August 11, 2004, in Washington, DC. A number of national and local groups attended to discuss reauthorization. The meeting was held to enable national AIDS organizations to find common working ground for the upcoming reauthorization process. There were discussions on strategy and communications, and individual organizations presented for the first time their guiding principles for the 2005 reauthorization bill. Amanda Shall, Assistant Director of Policy Research, and Director of Federal Affairs Carl Schmid presented TAI’s “Statement of Principles” at this meeting. The Workgroup will continue to meet via conference call on a monthly basis.
Housing Cuts –The House Appropriations Sub Committee approved the FY 2005 VA-HUD funding bill on July 22, 2004. This bill represents a $1.5 billion dollar increase over the President's request for HUD's Section 8 program. This increase comes at a tremendous price. The revenue to fund this bill will come from other HUD programs rather than new dollars injected into an already burdened system. The following are the cuts to HUD's FY 2005 budget below the FY 2004 levels*:
- Housing Opportunities for persons with AIDS, cut by $13 million
- Public Housing Operating Fund, cut by $154 million
- HOME Program, cut by $86 million
- Homeless Assistance Grants, cut by $54 million
- Housing for the elderly, cut by over $32 million
- Housing for persons with disabilities, cut by $11 million
The recommended cut of $13 million for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program (HOPWA) represents the first cut in the program's history. This is not simply an issue of federal budget constraints and economic forces. The recommended cuts will put the health and lives of thousands of people with HIV/AIDS at great risk by preventing them from attaining stable, affordable and lifesaving housing. People living with HIV/AIDS have an increased risk of homelessness due to increased housing costs, high cost of medical care and complex employment issues.
Action Needed!Call your members of Congress and Senators. Tell them to oppose any funding cuts to HOPWA and other critical, low income housing programs. Please remind them that for people living with HIV/AIDS, access to safe, affordable housing is a matter of life and death.
House Appropriation Increases Fall Short on Domestic AIDS Front – The House Appropriations Committee has proposed minimal increases for most domestic AIDS programs for FY2005. In fact, all Ryan White CARE Act programs, except for ADAP, were flat funded yet again. Under the House bill, ADAP would receive an increase of $55 million over last year’s Congressional allocation and although much needed and appreciated, even that dollar amount falls well below the $217 million needed level. Total Ryan White CARE Act funding would be nearly $2.1 billion in FY2005.
Over at the CDC, HIV, STD, and TB programs would see an increase of $7 million, for a total of $1.15 billion, a number much less than the community’s request of $1.7 billion. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) received a substantial increase of $500 million, for a total of $28.5 billion. Also receiving an increase – abstinence only programs. While the $35 million increase was much less than the President requested, TAI joins other AIDS advocates believing that the money could have been more wisely spent on scientifically-based prevention programs.
The full House of Representatives is slated to take up the Labor, HHS, and Education appropriation bill sometime in September. The Senate has not yet marked up their version of the bill in Subcommittee. With only a couple of weeks left in September before Congress is scheduled to recess, it’s questionable when a final appropriation bill will be attained.
Advocates Unite in Support of IOM Recommendations for AIDS – Nearly 30 national and regional AIDS organizations signed a joint letterin support of the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine’s report, Public Financing and Delivery of HIV Care, Securing the Legacy of Ryan White, which determinedthat a new federal entitlement is required to adequately address the complex, ever-evolving health care crisis caused by HIV/AIDS.
The letter read, in part, “A population-wide HIV health care delivery system for low-income Americans… will be comprehensive, dependable, and flexible. It will ensure early and comprehensive access to the range of essential care and treatment services necessary to maintain health for people with HIV/AIDS. It will include access to medical, mental health and substance abuse services, a comprehensive formulary of HIV medications, and coordinated case management. It will guarantee that once treatment is started, it will be available as long as a patient requires it. It will be able to respond rapidly to the evolving epidemiology of HIV disease, clinical challenges and treatment advances.”
Implementation of Medicare Modernization Act Has Great Impact on Delivery of AIDS Drugs– As CMS works on implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act, AIDS advocates, including The AIDS Institute, are weighing in with decision makers to ensure that those living with AIDS who will depend on Medicare to pay for their medications will have access to these medicines. On August 3rd, CMS published its draft regulations for implementation and while we were pleased that some of our concerns were addressed, we regret that many others were not.
Of utmost concern is the development of the drug formularies and our desire that each plan incorporate all medically necessary medications to treat HIV, as outlined in the federal Public Health Service guidelines. The AIDS Institute participated in an August 27th public meeting on the development of the guidelines for drug categories and classes in Baltimore, MD. Additionally, The AIDS Institute will submit written comments on the proposed Medicare regulations, which are due October 4th.