Dusting off the Crystal Ball: What do the elections mean for people with HIV?

The general election is mostly over and the yard signs are coming down. We’re shaking off the post-election blahs by dusting off the crystal ball to ask what the results of this election mean for people living with and at risk for HIV in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois and around the nation.

NATIONAL ELECTIONS

We cheered earlier this year when President Obama unveiled the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and pushed through national health reform.  Now the real work of implementation begins and Republican gains in the House and Senate may lead to roadblocks.

Constituent advocacy will be needed like never before to overcome Republican calls to reduce the deficit by cutting domestic spending. Funding cuts for HIV care, housing, and prevention will be squarely in Republican sights, along with other human services programs as well as funds to implement health reform.

Without funding increases, efforts to expand HIV care and prevention services will surely fall short; cuts will harm deeply. As it is, federal and state governments are failing to meet the most basic therapy needs of thousands of people with HIV, not to mention other medical, housing, support service, and prevention needs. Waiting lists for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and stagnant prevention efforts cannot become the new normal.

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy and its ambitious targets will provide a critical yardstick by which we can measure the success or failure of Congress and the Administration. At the same time, its focus on evidence-based programs, improved coordination, and effectiveness should appeal to Republicans.

ILLINOIS

The Democrats are still running the show in Springfield, but the state’s gargantuan budget deficit will dominate the year ahead. 

Democrat Pat Quinn is almost certain to retain the governorship when all the votes are counted. Quinn’s unmatched record of funding for ADAP, support for comprehensive sex education programs, and commitment to full and fair implementation of health care reform means that AIDS advocates have an ally in the Governor’s mansion. Gov. Quinn praised the National HIV/AIDS Strategy in his HIV/AIDS candidate statement, and said, “We must examine every dollar of [HIV] spending to ensure it yields the greatest outcome possible.” 

The responsible solution to the state budget deficit, of course, is to join the other 33 states that have passed a modest tax increase, while taking steps to reform the broken tax system. There may be a small window during the January lame-duck session to pass tax reform.  Of course, only House Speaker Mike Madigan knows if the reform measure will move forward. 

Perhaps most importantly for the Democrats, control of the General Assembly gives them the upper hand when it comes time to redraw legislative districts. They will have near-free reign to protect Democratic incumbents during the constitutionally-mandated decennial “remap” of legislative districts.

COOK COUNTY

Chicago Alderman Toni Preckwinkle was elected Tuesday as Cook County Board President. Preckwinkle’s strong progressive credentials and campaign platform of accountability, transparency, and reform offer hope for improvements in county government. The incoming Board President is likely to support implementation of the strategic plan released by the Cook County Health & Hospitals System independent governing board. The plan aims to streamline and improve the county health system, including the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, the hub for HIV care in Chicago. 

CHICAGO

Last but not least, buckle your seatbelt for the upcoming elections for mayor of Chicago and all 50 aldermanic seats. The season will officially kick off November 15 when office hopefuls start filing papers to declare their candidacy. Mark your calendar for municipal election day on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011.  As we do every year, AFC will ask candidates for mayor, alderman and other city offices to complete a candidate questionnaire on HIV/AIDS and public health issues. Although AFC is a not-for-profit and does not endorse candidates, we will publish the questionnaire results prior to the elections.