MAP Advocate
AIDS Advocacy Update
Volume 8, No. 1
January 23, 2002
In this issue:
Take Action! Register for AIDS Action Day, February
28, 2002
The Governor Announces Budget Cuts, House and Senate
Prepare Counter Plans
MAP Prepares to Introduce Medical Records Privacy
Bill
Bioterrorism Fight Comes to Minnesota
MAP Public Policy Bids Farewell to Mary Jo George
The big issues on the agenda for HIV advocates this year are:
* Expanding medical privacy.
* Protecting HIV programs from budget cuts.
* Ensuring that quarantine laws responding to bioterrorism do not involve
people living with HIV.
In addition, the usual attacks on comprehensive sex ed and GLBT programs can be expected.
To make your voice heard, register now for AIDS Action Day. MAP will set up your meetings and give you the tools you need to lobby. All you need to do is register and show up. To register:
1) Go to AIDS Action Day Headquarters on the web at www.mnaidsproject.org and fill out the online registration form.
2) Pick up the phone. Give us a call 612-341-2060 in the metro, 800-243-7321 statewide. TTY numbers are 612-373-2465 or 800-820-2437.
Expect a contentious legislative session as all sides prepare their own response on how to address the projected $1.85 billion budget deficit. Gov. Ventura released his plan for budget cuts and tax increases. It spares HIV and STI programs. However, expect to see other plans emerge with other ideas for program cuts. Of particular concern is the plan being prepared by House leadership, who plan to address the shortfall solely through funding cuts. Check future MAP Advocates for more updates on how HIV/STI programs may be affected by budget cuts, or visit our website at www.mnaidsproject.org
MAP's legal department has seen dramatic increases in cases involving breaches in confidentiality, often resulting in stigma and discrimination against people with HIV. Many of these unwarranted disclosures are occurring because of gaps in the current privacy laws and weak enforcement penalties for the laws that do exist. In response, MAP will be introducing the Medical Records Privacy Bill to ensure the confidentiality of people's health care information. The bill 1) prohibits HMO's and insurers from releasing confidential health information; 2) expands privacy laws so that employers, pharmaceutical corporations and health plan companies are prohibited from releasing information without a patient's consent; 3) increases penalties for unwarranted disclosures; and 4) expands Minnesota's definition of medical records to include oral information.
Health Departments around the country are moving fast to enact legislation expanding their powers to act in the case of bioterrorism attacks. However, there's lots of concern that in the haste to act, basic civil liberties and smart public health may not get their due. Minnesota's Department of Health convened a task to develop legislative recommendations, but the HIV communities' experience with responding to an epidemic crisis wasn't invited to the table. There's room for skepticism. MAP will be monitoring this legislation closely.
We are sad to announce the departure of Mary Jo George from MAP's public policy program, as she leaves to join the lobbying team for the Minnesota Nurses Association. The good news is that Mary Jo will still be at the State Capitol, pushing hard to make sure people with HIV and other disabilities have access to quality, affordable health care. However, we all will miss her smart and energetic leadership, both at the State Capitol on behalf of people with HIV and her statewide organizing efforts. Please join us in wishing Mary Jo the best of luck in her new endeavors.
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Last Updated:
Friday, March 30, 2007
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