[an error occurred while processing this directive] MAP Advocate Vol. 6 No. 8 [an error occurred while processing this directive]

MAP Advocate

AIDS Advocacy Update
Vol. 6 No. 8 (May 24, 2000)

In this issue:

Progress on Preventing STIs Continues
Abstinence-only Restrictions Rejected
Patient Protection Bill Dies
Take Action! Check Out the Web for more session wrap-up

Progress on Preventing STIs Continues

Access to free testing and treatment for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) will increase due to a $175,000 appropriation approved by the Legislature. The new resources will be used to expand services at clinics reaching African- Americans and men, two under-served populations identified in the Department of Health's recently-completed Comprehensive STI Prevention Plan.

The appropriation advances MAP's multi-year agenda to expand state resources for reducing the impact of STIs as part of a "big picture" HIV prevention strategy.
Securing an appropriation during this legislative session was a significant political achievement for MAP and its citizen advocates. Only three public health initiatives were funded. The appropriation for STI prevention became politically feasible when Senate leadership agreed to include the proposal in the "1/3d-1/3d-1/3d" budget deal cut with the Governor and House.

The lead authors of the bill which introduced the STI prevention initiative were Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) and Rep. Lee Greenfield (DFL-Mpls).

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Abstinence-only Restrictions Rejected

Schools in Minnesota will continue to offer comprehensive sexual health education, and school clinics will continue to provide access to contraceptives as part of their health services. However, it took heavy lobbying by MAP to get restrictions on sexual health education and services dropped from a major education funding bill.

Both the Senate and the House had adopted proposals to limit sexual health education. However, Senate conference committee members held firm in rejecting the more restrictive House proposals. This left the group deadlocked and unable to take any action.

Of concern to MAP advocates is the fact this is the fifth year in a row sexual education restrictions advanced by the Minnesota Family Council have been approved by one or both legislative bodies, only to be dropped due to a conference committee stalemate. (5/17/00).

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Patient Protection Bill Dies

Schools in Minnesota will continue to offer comprehensive sexual health education, and school clinics will continue to provide access to contraceptives as part of their health services. However, it took heavy lobbying by MAP to get restrictions on sexual health education and services dropped from a major education funding bill.

Both the Senate and the House had adopted proposals to limit sexual health education. However, Senate conference committee members held firm in rejecting the more restrictive House proposals. This left the group deadlocked and unable to take any action.

Of concern to MAP advocates is the fact this is the fifth year in a row sexual education restrictions advanced by the Minnesota Family Council have been approved by one or both legislative bodies, only to be dropped due to a conference committee stalemate. (5/17/00).

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Take Action! Check Out the Web for more session wrap-up

Need more info?

Visit the Action Center on the web @ www.mnaidsproject.org
Or, give us a call.

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Last Updated: Friday, March 30, 2007
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