NAPWA Blog

The HIV/AIDS community is abuzz that President Obama may offer a solution to the ADAP funding crisis next week when he welcomes community members to a White House reception.  From our previous posts, you know NAPWA has been pushing for an emergency appropriation of $126 million to end the waiting lists which now number more than 2,000 people in 11 states.

But keeping the pressure on, the National Minority AIDS Council, who will have a representative at the reception,  is preparing a letter to the President urging emergency ADAP funding.  You can sign on to the letter here.

Part of the health care reform passed earlier this year was federal support for high-risk insurance pools.  These pools can provide private insurance to those of us with pre-existing conditions.  The policies aren’t cheap, but government support is intended to make them more affordable.

A tool is now available to help you find a high-risk pool in your state.  Click here for more info.

Thanks to the nearly 500 activists who descended on Washington, DC for last week’s AIDSWATCH.  A record turnout lobbied more than 251 members of Congress for increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs.  Our success will be measured in the coming weeks, but all of you have given our cause a great big push.

See the videos from AIDSWATCH on the new NAPWA TV on Youtube!

And share more of your stories by posting to the blog.

We’re in the final day of the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA) annual AIDSWATCH.  This year is one of the largest yet with hundreds of activists from across the country here in Washington DC to demand that lawmakers increase funding for domestic HIV/AIDS  programs.

NAPWA also recognized Administration officials and Congressional leaders for their role in passing genuine health care reform. “The biggest benefit for people with HIV and AIDS since passage of the Ryan White Care Act,” says Matt Lesieur, NAPWA’s Director of Public Policy.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid honored by NAPWA's President Frank Oldham, Jr. (left) and board member Anthony Polimeni.

Read more about this year’s AIDSWATCH in NAPWA’s Positive Voice ENewsletter.  Our special AIDSWATCH edition comes out May 7th.  Sign up here.

The National Association of People with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) celebrates the historic passage of health insurance reform legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.  This bill offers the promise of providing coverage for thousands of persons living with HIV in the United States who lack health insurance or have inadequate coverage. 

 There are numerous components of health insurance reform that will benefit the HIV community, including the end of insurance company discriminatory practices against individuals with chronic health needs, the expansion of Medicaid to all low-income individuals without regard to health or family status, the creation of new health insurance options to countless individuals who have poor health coverage, and providing a real vehicle for small business owners to provide insurance for their HIV positive employees. 

NAPWA now urges the U.S. Senate to pass the reconciliation bill which also passed the House.  The reconciliation bill would make a number of improvements to the Senate bill that the House passed, including making health insurance even more affordable for many Americans through improved subsidies.

NAPWA wishes to thank the President and Congressional leadership for their unwavering commitment to pushing for reform.  Stated Frank Oldham, Executive Director, “The President and Democratic leadership in Congress have shown immense leadership on an issue that was desperately needed.  Individuals living with HIV have been waiting for this day for a long time.”

 Stated Matthew Lesieur, Director of Public Policy “In the years ahead, people will look back on this legislation and realize that this was a transformative moment; that it means health security for millions of individuals who’s well-being depends on adequate health insurance coverage.  For people living with HIV and other chronic conditions, this legislation is an incredible blessing.”

 NAPWA wishes to thank the entire HIV community and other health care advocates for their hard work in ensuring the passage of this monumental legislation. 

Each year NAPWA invites AIDS activists from across the nation to join in the largest lobbying effort on behalf of the HIV/AIDS community.  It’s called AIDSWATCH and registration for this year’s events is now open!

AIDSWATCH will take place April 26-28.  Follow this link and register for AIDSWATCH now!

That’s the question the United Nations will be considering this spring and your voice needs to be heard.  The non-governmental organization (NGO) delegation to UN AIDS is collecting survey information to bring to the UN discussion.

Please take a moment to complete the questionaire here.

The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) expresses disappointment with the Obama Administration’s proposed budget for federal fiscal year 2010-2011.  With over 56,000 new HIV infections annually and the rising cost of medical care and other services, NAPWA believes the Administration needs to show stronger dedication to addressing the unmet care and treatment needs of persons living with HIV in the United States.  We must have a budget which provides sufficient resources to save the lives of 1.1 million Americans living with HIV/AIDS. 

Far too many persons living with HIV in the United States lack access to appropriate HIV health care.  There are over 350 people on waiting lists for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming.  In the past, persons have died while on ADAP waiting lists.  In many regions of the country, funding through Ryan White is often the only means to pay for health care and supportive services for many PLWHAs.  Unfortunately, funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program increased only $40 million, with many Parts of the Ryan White program flat funded.  The HIV community has called upon the Administration to provide at least $810 million in new resources to meet growing demand. The nation needs continued aggressive action on the part of the Obama Administration if we are to close the gap in access to treatment and care that exists for many persons living with HIV.  It is estimated that 29% of persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States are uninsured.

In addition, the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program received only a $5 million increase.  In the light of flat funding across many federal programs, while NAPWA appreciates this small increase, it is also far too small to make any meaningful impact on the rising numbers of persons who are without access to stable housing.  If the Administration is to address the dire need for housing that exists among many persons living with HIV, more federal resources are required in this program.

At the same time, NAPWA is very pleased that the budget includes a six-month extension of the temporary increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), the federal matching rate for Medicaid.  The FMAP increase was set to expire on December 31, 2010; this proposal would extend much needed relief until June 2011. During this time of diminishing state coffers, states urgently need additional federal support to sustain their Medicaid programs.  This proposal will inject an additional $25.5 billion dollars into state Medicaid programs.   

NAPWA looks forward to working with Congress and the Administration to find more resources to meet the already significant unmet need for HIV primary medical care and supportive services that exists across the United States.  Much of the HIV community was extremely pleased by the steps taken by the Obama Administration in the first year.  The President has expressed and demonstrated leadership on behalf of the HIV community with such actions as the four year extension of the Ryan White Care Act and ending the HIV travel ban. However, this budget will need significant modification to fulfill the President’s leadership in ending the AIDS epidemic in America.

The White House says its 2011 budget “expands access to HIV prevention and treatment activities.” 

In a narrative, the White House says it will seek to reduce HIV incidence by focusing HIV testing among high-risk groups. 

According to the budget office, “the Budget increases resources for the Ryan White Program,” to support care and treatment for those unable to afford care.

The White House also says it will tackle the issue of health disparities by expanding HIV medical services in “populations disproportionately impacted by the epidemic.” 

The White House says its investing more than $3 billion in these efforts.  We don’t know yet what programs are included in that figure.  That’s the key.  This year, the federal government is spending nearly $4 billion for all its HIV/AIDS efforts and for the coming year the HIV community was seeking $3.1 billion just for Ryan White programs alone.  So despite the White House narrative, funding could still come up short of need.

We’re still digging.  Keep watching this space for updates, or sign up for our Twitterfeeds @napwaus

The federal government is preparing its first ever report on LGBT health issues.  If you’re a member of this community, what are your needs? 

Share your comments by February 1st at the National Coalition for LGBT Health website!