MAP Advocate Vol. 6 No. 10

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MAP Advocate

AIDS Advocacy Update
Vol. 6 No. 10
October 26, 2000

In this issue:

President Clinton signs Ryan White Care Act
Confidentiality Concerns Emerge
MAP Fumbles, Recovers: New Key Vote Report Issued
MAP Community Affairs Staff Grows
Take Action! Vote! Vote! Vote!

President Clinton signs Ryan White Care Act

A guaranteed $1.6 billion annual appropriation has been secured over the next five years for HIV treatment and prevention programs. Three dozen Minnesota organizations receive CARE Act dollars to help provide health care and support services for those affected by HIV. The bill passed both houses of Congress unanimously, but not without contentious fighting from the right to include HIV names reporting and mandatory testing provisions. Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone (D) co-sponsored the bill and was instrumental in fighting these measures and putting forward sound public health policies over divisive politics. MAP thanks Senator Wellstone for his role in securing passage of this crucial piece of legislation. See the October AIDSLine Brief for more information on the Ryan White Care Act and the programs that it funds.

Confidentiality Concerns Emerge as Issue for 2001

Fear and discrimination around HIV still exist 20 years into the epidemic. A recent study shows that as many as half of Americans believe that HIV can be transmitted through casual contact. As the MAP Action Tour traveled through Minnesota, stories focused on the stigma people still face in living with HIV and the need for confidentiality protections to prevent the misuse of their private health data. These concerns provide the focus for MAP's 2001 legislative agenda. At the capitol, MAP will seek enactment of an HIV confidentiality law to prevent misuse of health data as well as changes in the rules to allow for anonymous testing. In addition, MAP will continue its work on STD/STI prevention, comprehensive sexual health education for young people and reforms in Minnesota's patient protection laws.

MAP Fumbles, Recovers: New Key Vote Report Issued

MAP's 2000 legislative report card contained grading errors for many legislators. A corrected version, with their new grades, is posted on our website. Please refer to the new report card for accurate information on your legislator's record on the issues. Disregard the previous report card mailed in the Legislative Wrap-Up. We apologize for the error and any inconvenience this caused. Special thanks to Representative Dan Dorman (R-Albert Lea), for taking the "teacher" to task and finding the error.

MAP Community Affairs Staff Grows

MAP Community Affairs Department is happy to welcome Laura Fredrick Wang as the newest member of our team in the position of Community Affairs Assistant. MAP's team provides community outreach, lobbying and system advocacy for HIV-related issues. Director of Community Affairs and Education, Bob Tracy and Community Affairs Manager Mary Jo George, serve as MAP's lobbyists at the Legislature. Systems Advocates Kerri Pearce Ruch and Bill Seed provide advocacy in the area of Women and Families and Substance Use. Other members include part-time staff Mark Mislivec and intern Jennifer Heidelberger.

Take Action! Vote! Vote! Vote!

It is your turn to choose on November 7. Lots of important issues are at stake, so make your voice heard at the polls.
Still need to register? You can register at your polling place on election day. You will need:

*A driver's license or MN ID card
*A student ID or registration card
*A current utility or phone bill, showing your address, or
*The oath of a registered voter in your precinct.

Questions? Call the Secretary of State's office at 651-296-2803 or 1-877-551-6767. Or check their website at www.sos.state.mn.us.

Be An Informed Voter!

Help with your election homework is here. Many organizations provide voter guides or legislative report cards to help you choose the candidate that will do the best job representing you. In addition to MAP's legislative report, check out these sources:
*League of Women Voters
www.lwvmn.org
651-224-5445.
*MN Council of Non-Profits
www.mncn.org
651-642-1904 or
1-800-289-1904
*Minnesota Public Radio
www.mpr.org
*Outfront Minnesota
www.outfrontmn.org
*Gill Foundation
www.outvote2000.org

Remember to Vote!

Last Updated: Friday, March 30, 2007
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