MAP Advocate Vol. 7 No. 6

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MAP Advocate

AIDS Advocacy Update
Vol. 7 No. 6
April 4, 2001

In this issue:
Prevention Grant Restrictions Considered
Deadline Approaching for Finance Bills
Sexual Health Services Attacked
Governor Under Fire for Plan to Offer Domestic Partner Benefits
It's 1981 All Over Again
Take Action! Stop Attacks on HIV Prevention Funding

Prevention Grant Restrictions Considered

A bill intended to eliminate funding for two University of Minnesota HIV prevention programs failed to meet a crucial committee hearing deadline. The proposal was inspired by charges appearing in Minnesota Family Council publications. A quick response from HIV advocates made it clear to HR 1877's proponents the measure would not quietly slip through the process. However, expect the proposal - which opens the door to add the names of other HIV prevention groups to the list to have their funding eliminated - to get introduced as an amendment to some other bill still moving through the legislative process. It's still important to contact legislators and to share this information with friends.

Deadline Approaching for Finance Bills

The next two weeks are critical as Senate and House committees firm up their budget plans. MAP has several budget proposals up for consideration. MAP is seeking $500,000 over the next two years for general education and awareness targeting greater MN (HF854/SF708) and $300,000 over the next two years for workplace education (HF846/SF/827). Funding is also being sought for the five existing school-based HIV training sites, plus two additional sites (HF947/SF708). MAP is also asking for $2 million over the next two years to address health disparities around STDs (HF943/SF828).

Sexual Health Services Attacked

The House Health Committee eliminated HIV/AIDS and STIs as a focus of the health disparities budget, narrowing the focus to infant mortality and immunizations. Rep. Neva Walker attempted to turn back the effort. The committee also voted to bar all non-profit clinics from receiving state funds. The bill takes money away from successful family planning programs and threatens the viability of agencies that are a primary provider of STD and HIV screening, particularly in Greater Minnesota.

Governor Under Fire for Plan to Offer Domestic Partner Benefits

The Minnesota Family Council keeps pushing its homosexual agenda. First it attacks funding for University HIV service programs, due in part to their focus on GLBT folks. Now they are targeting Gov. Ventura's plan to offer domestic partner benefits to the state's GLBT employees. The Governor's plan is an inexpensive step in the right direction to fairness and ensuring that all Minnesotans have access to health care. In addition, 90 large Minnesota employers already offer such benefits to their employees. Gov. Ventura needs to hear that you support his plan to treat all employees and their families fairly.

It's 1981 All Over Again

All the talk in D.C. is tax cuts, tax cuts, and the word "AIDS" is not spoken. The White House Office on AIDS has been reduced to a web site with no one to answer the phone, the Bush budget Congress is debating recommends a funding level for the Ryan White CARE Act that doesn't keep pace with inflation, and the budget book no longer includes HIV in the list of diseases served through the CDC's Office of Communicable Diseases. As we mark the 20th year of the HIV epidemic, is it 1981 all over again?

Take Action! Stop Attacks on HIV Prevention Funding

This time we're serious. You need to place a phone call to your legislators. This is one of those points in the legislative process when it is crucial to remind your legislators of what you want them to do. Call your State Senator and State Representative and leave the following message:
Please support efforts to increase resources for HIV, STD and sexual health education, and oppose efforts by groups such as the Minnesota Family Council to block information and services for young people and gay and bisexual men.

House Information
651-296-2146
800-657-3550

Senate Information
651-296-0505
1-888-234-1112

or visit
www.mnaidsproject.org

Last Updated: Friday, March 30, 2007
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