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
A strong ally in the White House…democrats in firm control of Congress–remember when this all looked so promising?
News that President Obama will seek a budget freeze has all of us at NAPWA waiting and worrying. An across-the-board freeze on HIV/AIDS programs would be devastating.
A freeze on CDC programs would fall $1 billion short of what the HIV/AIDS community believes is needed for effective programs, particularly for HIV prevention efforts which are already being gutted at the state level. Freezing funding for care programs under Ryan White would leave an $810 million gap in vital services. The Minority HIV/AIDS initiative could be underfunded by $207 million and housing programs by $75 million.
We hope these are worst case scenarios. We hope the president’s proposed freeze will be flexible enough to recognize that more people are in care today than ever before, and that until there’s a cure, there’s only prevention.
We’ll keep you informed with the latest. We know we have our work cut out for us. If you haven’t joined us in the fight, now is the time! Join NAPWA now!
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!
The earthquake in Haiti devastated the country, leaving countless dead and with limited resources to help the survivors.
You can help!
Your unused ANTIBIOTIC, ANTIRETROVIRAL, AND PROPHYLAXIS medications can save lives in Haiti. NAPWA is joining with Aid for AIDS International to send life-saving medications to Haiti.
What can you send?
Unexpired Antibiotics, Antiretrovirals, and Prophylaxis medications, preferably in sealed bottles.
Where should you send them?
AID FOR AIDS International
120 Wall St, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005
The National Association of People with AIDS joins President Obama in making every effort to bring immediate relief to the people of Haiti. For three decades people living with HIV/AIDS have lived and died in monumental suffering in Haiti. All of us have followed this year after year. The present suffering and death in Haiti, as the result of the earthquake, is beyond human imagination. PLEASE JOIN US IN THIS URGENT RESPONSE!
The UN estimates as many as 140,000 Haitians are living with HIV/AIDS. Even before this tragedy their access to medical care was a challenge; now it is more so. As events unfold, we will keep you informed how you might be able to help for this specific need.
We urge you to follow USAID website for updates on this tragedy.
The following organizations are dedicated to respond immediately. Please donate!
If you have suggestions on how the PLWH/A community can help the people of Haiti, please post your suggestions here, or email us at napwa@napwa.org .
This week the Obama administration lifted the long-standing ban prohibiting HIV+ visitors from entering the U.S. (One of NAPWA’s top legislative priorities.) This week, NAPWA’s President and CEO talked to the Black AIDS Institute about what that can mean for Black Americans.
When someone dies of AIDS, they’re really dying of poverty, racism, homo-hatred, stigma around substance abuse and no health care. African Americans make up 13 percent of the U.S. population and [almost] 50 percent of the AIDS population. Lifting the ban helps remove stigma and saves lives. NAPWA represents 1.1 million Americans living with HIV, over 50 percent of them Black, and we don’t want them to progress to AIDS, [but they can] if they don’t get care. Lifting the ban ensures that we can learn from people overseas how to best get people into care and keep them there.
Read the entire interview here.
We’re beginning another challenging year for AIDS funding and we need your help.
Join NAPWA as we descend on Captiol Hill for our annual AIDSWATCH lobbying event April 26-28, 2010.
Watch the blog for more details. Sign up for updates by emailing us at napwa@napwa.org now!
The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) and Village Care of New York mourn the passing of Dennis deLeon, a major activist in the fight against AIDS and HIV-related stigma. Dennis was one of the first openly HIV positive public officials in the country and the first New York City major government official to disclose his HIV status.
In an Op-Ed to the New York Times that was published on May 15, 1993, then-New York City Human Rights Commissioner Dennis deLeon disclosed to the nation his HIV status, taking a bold step forward in the fight against HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Stated Dennis in that article:
“If more people proclaim their HIV status, we will change the way society treats persons with the virus. My hope is not based on any expectation that discrimination will end tomorrow but on a sense that it is good to show society that people with H.I.V. are leading productive lives and will tenaciously resist attempts at exclusion.”
Dennis deLeon lead a full and very productive life, leading the Latino Commission on AIDS for the past 15 years as its President, was formerly the Commissioner of Human Rights for New York City, was a lawyer, was appointed Deputy Borough President for Manhattan from 1988-1990, and served as the city’s Senior Assistant Corporation Counsel. He is survived by his partner of 32 years, Bruce Kiernan.
Stated Michelle Lopez, NAPWA board chair: “On behalf of NAPWA, and for each and every person of color living with HIV, we all stand shoulder to shoulder with Dennis DeLeon. We want to thank him and honor him for the meaningful work that has contributed to improving the lives of persons living with HIV and communities of color.”
Frank Oldham, President and CEO of NAPWA and a Village Care board member, stated: “I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Dennis deLeon for over two decades and met him when he was working for the City. He leaves behind an amazing and essential HIV organization with wonderful staff, which is a testament to his great leadership. I will miss him as a friend and a fellow AIDS warrior.”
Stated Emma DeVito, President and CEO of Village Care, “It is truly a loss to this community, he was a great leader and advocate for people living with AIDS. He contributed greatly to the fight against AIDS, and particularly to our understanding of the personal toll of the epidemic. He will be missed.”