 
|
 Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue S Minneapolis, MN 55404 Tel: 612-341-2060 Fax: 612-341-4057 info@mnaidsproject.org TTY Metro: 612-373-2465 TTY State: 888-820-2437 Privacy Policy HIV/AIDS Content Notice Site Map Account Login |
In This Issue:
Minnesota Update: Sex Ed on the Move at the Capitol Last week was a big week for sex ed legislation at the Capitol! Thank you for all the calls you made to your legislators in response to the action alert last week. These messages to legislators make a big difference, and keep us moving forward every week.
Federal Update: Congressional Oversight Hearing on Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage ProgramsOn April 23, the first ever congressional oversight hearing was held focusing on the public health and ethical concerns with abstinence-only-until-marriage programs domestically. The Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed submitted a statement on the public health and ethical concerns with abstinence-only-until-marriage programs and the need for comprehensive sexuality education. Click here to read the statement from the coalition. Back to topTake Action: Help Improve Treatment Access for People Living with HIV, Call Senators Coleman and Klobuchar TAKE ACTION! “My name is _________ and I live in Minnesota. The Senate is working on a Medicare reform bill and I would like a provision included that would allow AIDS Drug Assistance Program spending to count towards Medicare Part D “true out of pocket” costs. This would greatly help people with HIV have better access to lifesaving treatment. I urge Senator______________ to do everything in his/her power to make this important fix to the Medicare drug benefit.”
Senator Norm Coleman (R)
In 2008, many people who get their HIV drugs through the Medicare prescription drug benefit reach what is called the “donut hole” or coverage gap which can only be surpassed if they can afford paying $4,500 required for them to reach catastrophic coverage. They reach the donut hole after their total drug costs reach $2,510. This happens for many people with HIV within the first two months of their coverage. At that time, the individual must pay the full cost of their drugs or rely on another program, such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Once individuals have paid $4,050 out of pocket for their drug costs (referred to as true out of pocket costs or TrOOP), their Medicare Part D coverage resumes. Current law doesn’t allow ADAP spending to count towards TrOOP. This means that when an ADAP helps a Medicare beneficiary pay for their drugs during the coverage gap, the client remains in the coverage gap for the remainder of the year. People with HIV who should be able to get the full benefit of Medicare Part D are then forced to rely on the underfunded ADAP program, which in nearly all states also has a much more limited drug formulary. It also means that ADAPs around the country must spend money for these clients that could be used to expand access to other uninsured or underinsured individuals. If ADAP were allowed to count as TrOOP, it would save about $50 million per year. Announcement: Attend a Town Hall Meeting With Congresswoman Betty McCollum on Global HIV It’s Not Over: Innovative Approaches to the Global AIDS Epidemic RSVP appreciated: call (612) 373-AIDS or email Carolyn at bram0058@umn.edu Lunch will be served. Parking validation available (with UMN ticket). This event is FREE and open to the public. Announcement: Advocate with Your Feet, Register for the Minnesota AIDS Walk & Inaugural Run For the Ribbon The 2008 Minnesota AIDS Walk with the Inaugural 10k Run for the Ribbon is on Sunday, May 18 at Minnehaha Park. Register at www.mnaidswalk.org and begin your fundraising today! Mark your calendars for what will be the most exciting Walk to date. Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) provides services to about half of all the people living with HIV in Minnesota. The funds you raise for the 2008 Minnesota AIDS Walk support MAP’s mission to lead the fight against HIV through advocacy, education, and services. By walking you not only help generate much-needed funds, your participation also raises public awareness and educates others about HIV.
Visit the HIV Action Network archive to see what you missed. 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 Coalition for Responsible Sex Education . The HIV Action Network email is published by the Minnesota AIDS Project every week while the Minnesota Legislature is in session, and bi-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 receive the HIV Action Network email, visit our Join the HIV Action Network page, or contact MAP Public Policy by phone or email. MAP Public Policy Last Updated:
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or materials, please exit this Web site. |
|||||
The Minnesota AIDS Project, in partnership with the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, is working hard to keep responsible sex ed legislation moving forward. We support this legislation because we know that responsible sex ed programs can help to prevent HIV infection. We’ll continue moving these bills through the process with the goal of sending a bill to the Governor this session.