MAP Advocate
August 8, 2007
Vol. 13. No. 22

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In This Issue:

1. Federal Update: Congressman Jim Ramstad Signs Onto Early Treatment of HIV Act
2. Federal Update: Community Based Abstinence-Only Program Increased by $28 Million
3. Announcement: Join Minnesota Teens for AIDS Prevention in the 2007-08 School Year
   

Federal Update: Congressman Jim Ramstad Signs Onto Early Treatment of HIV Act

Thanks to calls from constituents, Congressman Jim Ramstad has signed onto the Early Treatment of HIV Act (ETHA). Thank you Congressman Ramstad! The legislation was introduced in the U.S. House on Thursday, August 2, 2007. Thank you for your calls; they truly influenced this outcome. GREAT WORK!

The ETHA legislation, if passed, will provide Medicaid coverage for certain low-income HIV-infected individuals. The Early Treatment for HIV Act is cost effective, improves health, reduces HIV-related deaths, and helps stop HIV.

Click here to read more about ETHA. (PDF)

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Federal Update: Community Based Abstinence-Only Program Increased by $28 Million

On July 19, 2007, by a vote of 276 to 140, the House of Representatives passed the Labor-HHS appropriations bill which increased the failed community based abstinence-only (CBAE) program by $28 million, bringing the annual spending to $141 million. However, the proposed reauthorization contains several improvements designed to remedy some of the severe shortcomings of the existing Title V program. These include provisions that:

• Require funded programs to contain medically and scientifically accurate information;
• Give states the flexibility to use funds for more comprehensive programs which discuss abstinence, but may also include information on birth control;
• Require funded programs to have been proven effective at decreasing teen pregnancy, STD, and HIV rates.
  

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Announcement: Join Minnesota Teens for AIDS Prevention in the 2007-08 School Year

Are you between the ages of 13 and 18? Do you care about HIV prevention? Do you want schools in Minnesota to offer comprehensive sex education? If you answered yes to these questions, you should become a member of Minnesota Teens for AIDS Prevention (MN-TAP). Past MN-TAP members have accomplished the following:

• Produced a community forum on comprehensive sex education
• Produced a documentary on comprehensive sex education
• Lobbied elected officials at the state Capitol
• Volunteered at the Minnesota AIDS Walk
• Attended a national conference on sex education in Washington, D.C.

If you are interested in applying to be a member of the 2007-2008 MN-TAP program contact Kate Nelson at the Minnesota AIDS Project. The 2007-2008 program year will begin in early October.

Kate Nelson
612-373-9162
kate.nelson@mnaidsproject.org

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In the News: Democratic Presidential Candidates Discuss Domestic HIV Issues

Election 2008 | Democratic Presidential Candidates Discuss Domestic, International HIV/AIDS Issues During Debate
[Jun 29, 2007]

As the 2008 election approaches, stay tuned to your MAP Advocate to find out about HIV-related questions you might ask candidates for both local and national elections. Candidates who know that HIV is an important issue for their constituents are much more likely to tackle this issue once elected.

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Visit the MAP Advocate archive to see what you missed.

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For more information about what's of interest to you at the Minnesota State Capitol, visit the Web sites of our allies at OutFront Minnesota and Sex Ed for Life.

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 isavailable through the MAP web site mnaidsproject.org and through email list service. If you wish to order the MAP Advocate, visit our Join the Public Policy Action Network page, or contact MAP Public Policy by phone or email.

MAP Public Policy
Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

612-341-2060
800-373-2437

public.policy@mnaidsproject.org

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Last Updated: Friday, September 28, 2007
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