What’s goin' on?

And cue Marvin Gaye…
…or Jessica Terlikowski…
As she tells you what’s goin' on…

Hi folks! I know I don’t have to tell you that we have a lot going on in our community right now.  There’s the Ryan White reauthorization, elimination of funds for abstinence-only mis-education programs, and, of course, financial turmoil at the state and federal levels. It’s a lot to keep track of, but we here at AFC have our fingers on the pulse, so you will too. Today I’m going to provide you with the quick-and-dirty on a few of the most pressing issues this week and what you can do to help: the Illinois state budget crisis, health care reform, and the federal needle exchange ban.

Illinois State Budget Crisis

As we shared with you last week, the Illinois General Assembly and Governor Quinn finally settled on a budget agreement. At first glance, the budget looks like a much better deal than the 50% cuts in social services we were facing. However, deeper inspection shows that the legislature only funds many Illinois Department of Public Health programs and grants at 50%. Though it may sound like we are right where we started from, I have new hope, and you should too. Here’s why:

Governor Quinn has access to $2.23 billion dollars that are designated for vulnerable populations, like people with HIV/AIDS.  The voices of each of us in the HIV/AIDS community must be loud and clear to ensure that the necessary funds ($46 million) are allocated to the Illinois Department of Public Health for HIV/AIDS programs and grants.  Illinois community-based organizations provide essential services to people at risk and living with HIV.  Listen to the story of a case manager from the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative (PACPI) who helps HIV-positive mothers have healthy babies.

We must take action to ensure they have the resources they need to serve our community. 

Health Care Reform

Our community understands all too well how crucial access to quality health care is to people who have chronic illnesses. Over the past several weeks we have gathered powerful personal testimonies that clearly illustrate why health care reform cannot wait.  Though we saw some solid action on the issue last week from the House of Representatives and the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, the Senate Finance Committee is dragging its feet.

Last week the House of Representatives released and the Senate HELP Committee passed health care legislation that provides real reforms that will benefit low-income people living with HIV/AIDS. Despite this progress, their colleagues in the Senate Finance Committee must pick up the pace to advance the health care reform process instead of intentionally slowing it down.  President Obama has called for the House and Senate to pass their versions by the end of July so a final bill can be passed by October. That deadline is coming up quick. We have to maintain the momentum. We will not have this chance again.

Next week, AFC will send out more news, details on a rally in Chicago, and a call-to-action to ensure the needs of people living with HIV remain a priority in the health care reform debate. 

Federal Needle Exchange Ban

Last Friday I tuned into the webcast of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee with great anticipation as they were preparing to decide whether or not to end the 20 year prohibition on federal funds to support needle exchange programs (NEPs).  The members did the right thing and voted in favor of eliminating the ban. I was thrilled! This action was a huge move forward and the result of years of intense organizing and advocacy across the country.

My celebratory tone was quickly tempered, however, when barely missing a beat, they passed an amendment that restricts needle-exchange programs so severely that it essentially negates any repeal of the ban. This new restriction would prohibit any NEP from providing services within 1,000 feet of a school, pool, park, youth center, daycare, and other places. This rule is particularly damaging to needle-exchange programs in urban areas, which is where such programs are needed the most. Because of this new constraint, the NEPs in Chicago would not be eligible for any federal funds as they are all within 1,000 feet of such places.

This ill-conceived restriction doesn’t have to become law, however.  We can (and must!) still fight to make sure it doesn’t make it into the Senate’s version of the bill. The Senate will take up the issue next week. Stay tuned to your weekly edition of the Online Acton Bulletin for the latest news and next steps!

Jessica Terlikowski is Policy Manager for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC).  Her areas of expertise include public policy addressing food security, harm reduction, and women's HIV prevention needs.  She monitors federal HIV/AIDS policy and convenes the Chicago Women and Girls HIV Prevention Coalition.