1. Weiner Introduces the HIV Education and Prevention Act of 2009
2. Obama Administration to Overturn Provider Conscience Regulations
3. Senate Passes and Obama Signs FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations
4. Summit Focuses on Impact of HIV and Incarceration on Communities of Color
5. Waters Introduces the Stop AIDS in Prison Act

Announcements

1. National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day March 20th

2. Register for AIDSWatch 2009

3. White House Internship Program Accepting Applications

This Week in Washington

1. Weiner Introduces the HIV Education and Prevention Act of 2009

On Thursday, March 5th, Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY) introduced the HIV Education and Prevention Act of 2009 (H.R. 1364) to expand comprehensive sex education programs.  The bill would allow for greater flexibility in the use of Title V abstinence only funds starting in Fiscal Year (FY) 2010. If passed, abstinence only funding could also be used for sex education programs, redefined as “education about the functional, structural, or behavioral aspects of human reproduction and may include education about abstinence or contraception.” The Title V abstinence only education program is set to expire in June of this year. The bill would also create a pilot program to combine substance abuse treatment and prevention programs for youth.

Click Here for the full text of the bill and its current legislative status.

2. Obama Administration to Overturn Provider Conscience Regulations

On Friday March 6th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Proposed Ruling to rescind the “provider conscience” regulation enacted by the Bush Administration late last year. The Bush administration expanded existing legislation focused on abortion and contraception, known as the Church Amendments, by allowing health care entities to refuse to provide or participate inany service that violates their religious or moral beliefs – ranging from blood transfusions to end-of-life care. As such, health care entities could refuse to participate in providing any patient with referrals, training, health services, or research activities linked to procedures they deem objectionable.  Persons living with HIV/AIDS are left particularly vulnerable to discrimination based on such policy.

The Bush regulation added damaging ambiguity to the provider conscience clause, and was strongly opposed by many reproductive health, patient rights, and HIV/AIDS organizations, including AIDS Action.

The HHS rule to overturn the regulation was published in the Federal Register last Friday. HHS will be accepting public comment on the rule for thirty days.

3. Senate Passes and Obama Signs FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations

On Tuesday, March 10th, The Senate passed the $410 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill on a voice vote. That vote followed a cloture vote to end debate on the bill which passed 62-35, above the 2/3 majority requirement for cloture. Three Democrats voted against procedural motion to invoke cloture, Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Russ Feingold (D-WI). Eight Republicans supported the motion: Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS), Kit Bond (R-MO), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AL), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

All attempts to amend the bill in the Senate failed, so the omnibus was identical to the version passed by the House on February 25th. The bill was immediately sent to President Obama who signed the measure on Wednesday March 11th, just before the continuing resolution was set to expire. Click Here to read the President’s signing statement.

The Senate attempted to pass the omnibus bill last week, but did not gain enough support before the week’s end. Failing to pass the bill without amendment before Wednesday the 11th would have jeopardized critical increases to the Ryan White CARE Act, HOPWA, and initial funding for the development of a National AIDS Strategy.

Within the Financial Services and General Government portion of the bill, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy received $1.4 million for the development of a National AIDS Strategy. The bill language reads as follows, “The Administration is urged to develop and implement a National AIDS Strategy that engages multiple sectors in strategy development, is comprehensive across Federal agencies, sets timelines and assigns responsibility for implementing changes, identifies targets for improved prevention and treatment outcomes and reduced racial disparities, and mandates annual reporting on progress.”

The FY 2009 Omnibus includes the following major changes to domestic HIV/AIDS programs over FY 2008.

• Ryan White Program received increase of $71.5 million
• CDC HIV Prevention was flat funded.
• NIH received a $937.5 million increase.
• HOPWA received a $10 million increase.
• Community based abstinence only education received a $14 million cut.
• Minority AIDS Initiative was flat funded.
• National AIDS Strategy receives $1.4 million increase

4. Summit Focuses on Impact of HIV and Incarceration on Communities of Color

On Wednesday March 11th, Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) sponsored and the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) hosted a Congressional Summit entitled, “Changing the System: The Effects of HIV and Incarceration on Communities of Color.” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of those most significantly affected by HIV/AIDS. Congressional Members, including Congresswoman Donna Christensen (D-VI), Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Congressman Robert Scott (D-VA), and representatives in the fields of HIV/AIDS, mental health, incarceration and substance abuse in communities of color composed the panel. Dr. Beny Primm, Founder/Director, Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation (ARTC); Ravinia Hayes-Cozier, Director, Government Relations and Public Policy, National Minority AIDS Council; and C. Virginia Fields, CEO, National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, presented at the summit.

Approximately 25 percent of people living with HIV pass through the correctional system. All of the speakers called for the creation of a national AIDS strategy, noting policies addressing the relationship between HIV/AIDS and incarceration as an essential part of that strategy.  Dr. Primm also explained that we, as a society, cannot address the issue of HIV/AIDS in prison without examining the factors that contribute to incarceration.

Lastly, presenters discussed numerous pieces of legislation they believe will address the burden of HIV and incarceration on communities of color.  Congresswoman Lee announced her intention to reintroduce the JUSTICE Act, voiced her desire to increase funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative, and discussed her current resolution, (H.Con.Res. 24) which calls for the creation of a national AIDS Strategy.  During the Q & A session, speakers and attendees articulated a need for a comprehensive Discharge Planning Act, input of former inmates in discussions about policymaking, and a better understanding of prison culture and its health care system. Following the summit, Congresswoman Waters introduced the Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2009 , HR 1429.

5. Waters Introduces the Stop AIDS in Prison Act

On Wednesday, March 11th, Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced the Stop AIDS in Prison Act, H.R. 1429. She announced its introduction at the Congressional Summit on the Effects of HIV and Incarceration on Communities of Color. Original cosponsors of the act include Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee; Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; Rep. Robert C. Scott (D-VA), Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, which has jurisdiction over federal prisons; Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA); and Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI)
 

The Stop AIDS in Prison Act is a comprehensive policy developed for the Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide HIV testing, treatment and prevention for inmates within correctional settings. The Stop AIDS in Prison Act would require the Federal Bureau of Prisons to test all federal prison inmates for HIV upon entering prison and again prior to release, unless the inmate opts-out of taking the test. Waters’ legislation also would require that inmates be tested for HIV once a year upon their request, and would call for confidential counseling for inmates before and after HIV testing.  The bill also requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all inmates and comprehensive, timely treatment, and linkages upon release for those inmates who test positive.

Representative Waters first introduced the Stop AIDS in Prison Act in the 110th Congress, where the bill met broad bipartisan support. The House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the measure in July of 2007, and the full House passed the bill by a voice vote shortly thereafter. In 2008, the Senate Judiciary committee passed the bill; however, the full Senate did not complete action on the bill prior to adjournment.

Upon the bill’s release this Congress, Representative Waters said, “The Stop AIDS in Prison Act will help stop the spread of  HIV/AIDS among prison inmates, encourage them to take personal responsibility for their health, and reduce the risk that they will
transmit HIV/AIDS to other people in the community following their release from prison," said Congresswoman Waters. To read her full press release, please Click Here. 
 

The bill is expected to move quickly, so AIDS Action urges you to contact your Members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill.

Click Here to read the full text of the bill.

Announcements

1. National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day March 20th

The third annual National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD) will be held Friday, March 20th.  This year’s theme is “Celebration of Life.” The observance day, which aims to build HIV/AIDS awareness among native communities, was organized by The National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC), Colorado State University's Center for Applied Studies in American Ethnicity Commitment to Action for 7th-Generation Awareness & Education: HIV Prevention Project (CA7AE), and the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA). According to NNAAPC, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the third highest rate of AIDS diagnoses in the United Staets, which underscores the need for awareness building and outreach activities for this population.  For more information about the epidemic among Native Americans, NNHAAD, and community events being held across the country, please clickhere.

2. Register for AIDSWatch 2009

Registration for AIDSWatch 2009 is now open.  AIDSWatch 2009 will take place in Washington DC from April 27-29, 2009. AIDSWatch, a project of the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), is designed to bring together hundreds of advocates from across the nation to collectively demonstrate to Congress our dedication to a federal commitment to AIDS programs. AIDSWatch is the largest annual constituent-based federal HIV/AIDS advocacy and education event in the U.S.  Participants include people living with HIV and AIDS, their families, friends, care providers, and other advocates. 

This three-day event will begin with advocacy training at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives and a rally on Monday, April 27th, with two days of meetings with elected officials to immediately follow. 

Please go to http://napwa.org/advocacy/aidswatch.shtml to learn more about AIDSWatch 2009 schedule and register today!

3. White House Internship Program Accepting Applications

On February 26th, President Obama introduced the White House Internship Program for his Administration. Applications are currently being accepted for the summer of 2009, and the program will run from May 22nd to August 14th. The purpose of the program is to provide participants with valuable job experience, and inside look at the life of White House staff, and leadership skills. For more information regarding internship requirements, placements, or application procedures, please Click Here.