MAP Advocate
MAP Advocate
AIDS Advocacy Update
Vol. 8 No. 6
April 9, 2002
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The DFL-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House have vastly different plans for closing the state's budget gap. Fortunately, neither plan includes cuts for HIV-specific programs, although the House proposal uses unexpended HIV drug program reserves to help close the gap. Of special concern is that the House plan severely restricts Medicaid coverage for very low income, single individuals.
However, all of this is up for grabs because with such big differences, it's possible for conference committees to strike a budget-balancing deal that doesn't look anything like either of the current proposals. In short, we need to keep an eye out for efforts to reduce or redirect HIV-related funding.
Minnesota minors seeking confidential health care could be in for a rude awakening. Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo) introduced an amendment to the omnibus health policy bill to strip a minor's right to consent to confidential care for sexual health, mental health or substance abuse. The House passed the amendment, then a day later, voted on a new version of the bill without controversial measures such as the minors' consent repeal.
Political insiders read it as a move to get a controversial vote on the issue so lawmakers who opposed the change would have to counter attacks they are "against parents rights". Watch for this as a hot topic on the campaign trail.
The Minnesota Dental Association is seeking funding to create a statewide network to offer voluntary services for uninsured people. The House proposes to use unexpended HIV drug rebate money to fund this initiative. The Senate has a different funding plan.
MAP has secured changes to the House bill to ensure that if HIV rebate funds are used, the dental association's initiative will include education about serving diverse populations, and about the ADA and Minnesota Human Rights Act. Unfortunately, the dental profession has not had the best track record when it comes to nondiscriminatory care for people with HIV.
Many of the HIV health and social service programs were administratively shifted from the Department of Health to the Department of Human Services in 2001. The omnibus health policy bill passed by the House formalizes this shift.
The Senate has not acted on a similar measure. MAP has communicated its support for this change that heads to a conference committee for resolution.
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Friday, March 30, 2007
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