Please join the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s SPC Pol/Ad Committee and state ADAP Director Jeffrey Maras on April 6. We’ll present the latest information on Illinois’ AIDS Drug Assistance Program, HIV funding in the state budget, and the impact of health care reform on our community. You must RSVP to Becca at bcadoff@aidschicago.org.

Congress inserted and approved $250 million in Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage funding with the passage of health care reform last week. While health reform will provide sweeping, much-needed changes to our health care system, reauthorization of Title V money is a major concern.

The final passage of health reform last week is a huge victory for people with HIV and AIDS.  Here are some of the short and long-term changes that will impact our community.

In this post we share some strategies and resources advocates around the country are using to respond to the widespread AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) funding crisis.  Tell us what’s going on in your neck of the woods!

First, some brief background:

States across the country find themselves in the midst of an ADAP funding crisis as the economic downturn is devastating their ability to raise sufficient revenue.  Flat funding by the federal government and escalating drug costs are compounding the fiscal problems.

Demand is spiking as more people turn to safety net programs like ADAP as a result of becoming unemployed and losing health coverage.  Increased efforts to identify HIV positive individuals through testing are likewise adding pressure as people become aware of their status and are linked to care.

Rev. Al Sharp, Executive Director of Protestants for the Common Good, provides insightful but fightening information on proposed funding cuts to the Illinois Department of Human Services budget:

CO-PAY PROGRAMS

CO-PAY PROGRAMS FOR HIV

These programs offer assistance to people with private health insurance for the co-payments they have to make at the pharmacy for their HIV drugs. Some companies offer co-pay assistance for all of their drugs, including non-HIV drugs.

LGBT families need to be visible and counted in the 2010 Census.  Census data gives a snapshot of the LGBT community and informs many of the public and private policies that impact the lives of LGBT individuals and their families. 

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for passing historic health care reform legislation last night and the thousands of AIDS advocates in Illinois and across the country who urged this critical action. This landmark legislation will expand health care access for 32 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands with HIV.

The Reproductive Health and Access Act will require all Illinois public schools to offer medically-accurate, age-appropriate sexual health education to equip youth with the information and resources needed to make healthy decisions throughout their lives.

While a lot of the advocacy process involves shaping the debate and building networks, sooner or later we (or the people we mobilize) will be contacting elected officials to ask for their support on a particular issue.  Whether its through a letter, phone call, or a face-to-face meeting, advocates are constantly engaging their legislators on the issues.

Attached to this Dose of Change post is a great resource on how to effectively communicate with your legislators through each of these channels.  While the document focuses on federal representatives, these rules are universally applicable to engaging any elected or public official. 

Note: This guide was adapted from a resource originally developed by the American Psychological Association.  Advocacy inspiration is everywhere - so keep your eyes open!