February 27, 2008
Vol. 14. No. 5 |
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In This Issue:
- Federal Update: Needle Exchange Debate Heats Up in Washington, D.C.
- Federal Update: PEPFAR Reauthorization
- Announcement: Register for AIDS Action Day by Thursday, March 14!
- Election Information: Read About the Candidates Positions on Health Care
- In The News: Sex Education Op-Ed
Federal Update: NAACP and National Urban League Support Federal Funding for Needle Exchange
The debate over needle exchange has increased lately. In January, Congress lifted a ten year ban on needle-exchange funding in Washington, D.C., and President Bush signed the legislation. In a reversal, President Bush’s recent budget request would re-impose the ban. On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (Feb. 7) the NAACP and the National Urban League announced their support for federal funding for needle-exchange programs. Needless to say, all of this action has raised awareness around this important HIV prevention issue. Read more below.
New York Times
February 23, 2008
Editorial
Politics and Needle Exchanges
Letter to:
The Honorable John P. Walters
Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy
The Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) supports needle-exchange as a scientifically-proven, effective form of HIV prevention. This year, one of our legislative priorities is to fully fund HIV prevention programs serving injection drug users.
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Federal Update: PEPFAR Reauthorization
On Wednesday, February 27, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs will vote on the future of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. global strategy to combat HIV.
However, the reauthorization process has caused a heated debate, with some committee members opposing the removal of abstinence-only earmarks and the integration of HIV services with reproductive health programs. Reproductive health services are often the way women enter the health care setting.
Stay tuned for future updates on the PEPFAR Reauthorization process.
Register for the HIV Action Network Open House and AIDS Action Day!
AIDS Action Day
AIDS Action Day is on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at the State Capitol. Come to the Capitol and meet with your elected officials. Take an opportunity to share your story and your concerns with the people who make decisions about HIV policy.
Join a community of HIV advocates from around the state for a day of fun and influence! Come be part of the action!
Click Here to Register!
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Election Information: Read about the Candidates’ Positions on Health Care
The 2008 Presidential election is getting closer and with each passing day the political rhetoric gets louder. Take a moment to read about the candidates’ positions on real issues. The Kaiser Family Foundation has created www.Health08.org, a central hub of resources and information about health policy issues in the 2008 election.
As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, Minnesota AIDS Project cannot support or oppose candidates or political parties. However, we do support your right and responsibility to become engaged in the democratic process.
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In The News: Sex Education Op-Ed
The Pioneer Press recently featured an op-ed written by Senator Sandy Pappas and Representative Neva Walker about sex education. Rep. Walker and Sen. Pappas sponsored the sex education legislation in the past and will again carry the legislation this year. The Minnesota AIDS Project is a member of the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, which advocates on behalf of sex education legislation.
Pioneer Press
Teach adolescents about responsible sexuality
By: Sen. Sandy Pappas and Rep. Neva Walker
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Visit
the HIV Action Network 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 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
Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-373-2437
1-800-248-2437
public.policy@mnaidsproject.org
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Last Updated:
Thursday, March 6, 2008
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