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Advocate
Your AIDS Advocacy Update
Vol.10 No. 3
January 18, 2004
Mark out the time on your calendar now for AIDS Action Day – February 18. You will need to be at the Capitol for about four hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The focus of AIDS Action Day 2004 will be the need for prevention funding for all communities in Minnesota. Special focus will be prevention funding targeting the unique needs of immigrant communities as Minnesota confronts the global HIV epidemic right in our backyard. Plus, we will be talking about making sure all young people in the state get the information and tools they need to take care of their health through comprehensive family life and sexuality education. This is a tough fight in this political climate. That is why we need YOU there pushing Minnesota lawmakers to the forefront of this effort.
So, are you registered? Click here and register today. We set up your meetings for you, provide you with issue briefings and trainings. All you need to do is show up on February 18. Already registered? Expect something in your in-box this week confirming your participation with more details about AIDS Action Day.
[Please note, the date for AIDS Action Day has been changed from February 12 to February 18.]
Lots of folks have been asking us about what the change at the top in the leadership of the Minnesota Senate means for AIDS Advocates in Minnesota. Last week, the DFL Senate Caucus voted to make Sen. Dean Johnson [DFL-Willmar] Senate Majority Leader, replacing Sen. John Hottinger [DFL-St. Peter]. What we can tell you is that Sen. Johnson voted against amendments proposed during the 2003 legislative session to add anti-gay restrictions on HIV and STD education in schools and voted against an amendment that would have effectively gutted a law that helps teens get confidential access to health services such as STD screening. Sen. Johnson has also participated in MAP community forums held in the Willmar area in the past and, when he was Minority Leader of the Senate Republic Caucus in 1996, arranged for MAP to do HIV education for the Minnesota National Guard Chaplains. All of that said, it’s a new day and a new year. What Sen. Johnson does in his new role depends upon what he hears from AIDS Advocates who live in the Willmar area and from you. Send Sen. Johnson an email now and let him know what you hope for from his leadership.
Plans to Control Health Costs Starting to Flow
Universal health care is a “Minnesota value,” is how former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger interpreted the results of a recently-released poll commissioned by Gov. Pawlenty’s Citizen’s Forum on Health Care Access. Four of five respondents to the Minnesota poll said they would be willing to pay higher taxes to provide health care coverage for more people. “You could argue that, politically, the people do support universal insurance,” said committee member Dr. Glen Nelson, a former surgeon and former vice chairman of Medtronic. The poll results stand in stark contrast to the “no new taxes” policies of the Pawlenty administration that seriously eroded health coverage for lower income Minnesotans during 2003. Durenberger also interpreted the poll results by saying, “Minnesotans are afraid they can’t switch jobs because they’re going to lose their access to health care.” Recommendations from Durenberger’s group are due out in early February. Already, House Republicans have released a plan for curbing health costs, but is primarily focused on limiting the ability of consumers to sue for malpractice – not a major factor in health costs in Minnesota, and prohibiting expansion of health care programs. Senate Democrats are expected to come out with a plan this week.
ENABL Report Inspires Commentary, Letters
People all over Minnesota are talking about the Department of Health's recently released study exposing the flaws in Minnesota's abstinence-only approach to teen pregnancy prevention, Education Now and Babies Later (ENABL). Commentaries and letters to the editor from the majority of Minnesotans that know a comprehensive approach is the right answer have appeared in the paper. Have we heard from you? Take a few minutes to pen a letter to your local paper saying you expect lawmakers to spend our limited dollars on scientifically proven comprehensive sexual health education programs and to stop turning the young people's health into a political football. Need help? Check out News Articles of Note for more information including the recent Star Tribune editorial supporting sex education and the January 6 MPR Mid-morning discussion about the ENABL study.
The Minnesota Legislature goes back to work on February 2. If you are already subscribed to the MAP Advocate, you are in great position to influence policy at the State Capitol starting in February. But if you haven't already registered as a MAP Advocate and let us know where in Minnesota you live, we need you to do it NOW. We know we sound like a broken record, but it is that important! Your home address helps us to figure out what legislative district you are in, which helps us find you when YOUR lawmaker is the one who can make the difference on HIV policy. It will take just a few seconds, but will go a long way in creating a well-informed and engaged network of advocates. Click here to register.
Anxious to be a really strong advocate this year? Join us and the Sexual Health Education - MN coalition for a legislative briefing on January 29. Get the inside scoop from legislators and lobbyists about what we will likely see this year around sexual health education and minor's consent legislation. Lawmakers will tell you what they need to hear from their constituents to help them lead on our issues. To register or for more information, email Joy at joy@moappp.org MAP, along with the Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Parenting, is a co-convener of the Sexual Health Education - MN coalition.
Watch for a new look and lots of new information when you visit the Public Policy home page at mnaidsproject.org starting January 26. You’ll get to read about the 2004 legislative action agenda and get lots of ideas about how you can make a difference as a desktop advocate. Also, MAP is looking for a new Public Policy Manager to lead grassroots organizing, policy development and lobbying a the State Capitol. The job description is posted at mnaidsproject.org. Review of candidates is starting now, so if you or someone you know are interested, move fast.
MAP Advocate is published by the Minnesota AIDS Project every two weeks while the Minnesota Legislature is in session, and monthly during the rest of the year. It is available through the MAP Web site and through email list service. If you wish to order the MAP Advocate, visit our Join the Action Network page, or contact MAP Public Policy by phone or email.
MAP Public Policy
Minnesota AIDS Project
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Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-341-2060
800-373-2437
public.policy@mnaidsproject.org
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