Action Alert from Texas HIV/AIDS Coalition

 

Equality Texas March 30 at 6:02pm Report

ACTION ALERT!

Tomorrow the Senate Finance Committee will consider funding the Texas HIV Medication Program.

We must let the committee members know that if they fail to fund the Texas HIV Medication Program people will not have access to the drugs that keep them alive.

We are asking you to make three phone calls to key Senators on the Senate Finance Committee.

The message is simple-

"I am asking you to fully fund the Texas HIV Medication Program. The lives of thousands of Texans depend on it."

Senator Steve Ogden 512.463.0105
Senator Juan Hinojosa 512.463.0120
Senator Jane Nelson 512.463.0112

We are asking you to make these calls now. The vote is scheduled to take place on Thursday morning.

In addition to your own action we are asking you to reach out to your networks: email lists, Facebook, Twitter, co-workers and friends. We have moved this issue through our efforts over the past 3 months and we can't afford not to weigh in before tomorrow's vote in Senate Finance.

 

 

Hill Country Ride for AIDS

	Breaking News! Watch out! Hill Country Ride Beneficiary Organizations go crazy with recruiting, and they want YOU! The TEN beneficiary organizations have challenged each other to each add five new riders to our teams. We believe we can do it, and want to include you in this challenge. If you have never ridden or not registered yet, this is the perfect time! Why? There are thousands of good reasons, here are three: 1. You’re in good company: Most of the people who do this Ride have never done anything like it, and this Ride draws the coolest people year after year. This is an amazing community of kindness, and we want you to be a part of it. 2. Fundraising is easy: So easy, that the average rider trying to raise $500 ends up raising over $1,000 every year. Check out these great fundraising tipsand also how you can raise $1,000 in one week. 3. The need has never been greater: We are all facing severe cuts in funding, so severe that we are in need of Ride funds to just continue providing our basic services. Already have your own team? Join our challenge, see if you can add five new people! Want to join our team? See the list of all the beneficiaries with a link to our teams. Most of all, know that we are grateful for you beyond words. We can’t wait to see you on the Ride! Candice Towe Executive Director Out Youth www.outyouth.org

Texas legislators deciding who lives and dies

Providing HIV and AIDS care and prevention education since 1987! Dear Pearle E. Gates, Over 14,000 low-income Texans living with HIV and AIDS depend on Texas' AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for their life-sustaining drugs. The program, also known as the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP), is at risk and, with it, the lives of thousands of Texans. When tasked with deciding funding priority levels, the $19.2 million needed to sustain ADAP was ranked by Texas budget writers as a second-tier priority. When asked what would happen to Texans if the program were not fully funded, Dr. David Lakey, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, stated that, “The natural progression – without any medications – would be that they would die.” The proposed cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program are short-sighted and will have an immediately detrimental impact on the health of people living with HIV and AIDS. Cutting funding for ADAP will force the program to tighten eligibility criteria and restrict the range of available medications as there is an expected 14 percent growth in demand on ADAP over the next two years. Hoping that local health clinics and AIDS Service Organizations can pick up these costs completely ignores the reality that the State of Texas exercises its unique power to negotiate much lower prices for these medications. Local clinics and organizations lack that bargaining power and – due to increased demand – are already stretched to the limit to provide direct services and assistance to clients and patients in this economic downturn. A failure to provide the $19.2 million in funding for ADAP means that over 2,000 individuals living with HIV and AIDS will lose their medications, lose their ability to fight off infection, and – ultimately – lose their lives. Cost savings associated with shrinking ADAP will be dwarfed by the healthcare expenditures that will be required for people progressing to AIDS as their immune systems are destroyed. If Texas legislators fail to fully fund the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, they will be deciding who lives and who dies. The good news is that this fight is not over, and there are steps that you can take to help influence the decisions of our lawmakers. 1. Stay informed: Join the Texas HIV/AIDS Coalition on Facebook for news and information and sign up for email alerts. 2. Contact your representatives. When you fill this out, it sends a fax to your State Representative and Senator, asking them to fully fund the Texas HIV Medication Program. 3. Attend the Texas HIV Medication Program Advisory Committee meeting this Friday, April 1. You will hear what the Texas Department of State Health Services will need to do if the medication program is not fully funded. You will also be able to give feedback, ideas and suggestions. If you can attend the meeting, please email Bruce Turner. The meeting is this Friday at 12:00 noon at the DSHS Main Campus, 1100 W 49th St, Room K-100 Lecture Hall. 4. Get the word out! Forward this to all of your friends and to anyone who has a stake in this fight. Spread the word through any organizations of which you are a member. Thank you for your attention to this crucial issue that affects the physical and fiscal health of our community. We are working with people like you from across the state to ensure that low-income Texans have access to the medications that keep them alive. Together, we will make our voices heard on behalf of the 14,000 Texans who are alive today thanks to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. In solidarity, Paul Scott Executive Director AIDS Services of Austin Quick Facts About the Texas AIDS Drug Assistance Program: Over 14,000 Texans are currently enrolled in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program Since it was started in 1987, the Texas HIV Medication Assistance Program has served over 45,000 people $19.2 million is needed to maintain the program as it stands today 43% of new applicants report $0 income 73% of new applicants report incomes of less than 100% of the federal poverty level HIV and AIDS medications cost the individual upwards of $30,000 annually without assistance A total of $25 million in program cuts are being proposed Repercussions of Failing to Fund the Texas AIDS Drug Assistance Program: HIV will quickly progress to AIDS for thousands of Texans The body will build a resistance against medications A choice will have to be made between medications and other necessities such as food and housing There will be greater costs to local governments and taxpayers as individuals seek emergency care Contagious diseases will cause a public health risk due to compromised immune systems In the News: “Death Panel” Accusations Hit Texas Senate | Public News Service, March 28 Texas: Senate Plan Would Not Pay for New HIV Patients | The Body, March 28 Drug program for HIV patients may have to be revamped | Houston Chronicle, March 25 Texas Committee Votes to Reduce Health Cuts | Texas Tribune, March 24

Press Release: EQTX Denounces Bexar County Democratic Chair; Calls for Resignation

For Immediate Release
Contact:
Chuck Smith
Deputy Executive Director
(512) 474-5475

Equality Texas Denounces Bexar County Democratic Chairman Dan Ramos & Calls for his Resignation

AUSTIN, Texas (March 29, 2011) - Equality Texas denounces the bigoted and homophobic remarks by Bexar County Democratic Chairman Dan Ramos. Earlier this month, Ramos made disparaging remarks about gay and lesbian Democrats.

In an era when equality for all Texans is a bipartisan issue, homophobia should not be tolerated in politics. According to a poll conducted by Equality Texas, the vast majority of Texas voters support equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Democrats are quick to denounce Republicans when GOP leaders make bigoted comments and propose homophobic legislation. Ramos’ comments are an example of how bigotry simply has no party affiliation; it can manifest itself in any political party.

Equality Texas Executive Director Dennis Coleman said there is no place in the leadership of any political party for homophobes and bigots.

“The chairperson of a political party should renounce discrimination in any form. Texans, no matter their sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, should look to their political leaders for leadership - not bigotry,” said Coleman. “Equality Texas hoped Mr. Ramos, by now, would have made the responsible decision to resign.”

As a non-partisan organization with more than two decades of rich history, Equality Texas has established itself as a policy and advocacy authority at the Texas Capitol and across the state. Equality Texas successfully works for inclusive policies at the local and state levels.

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