Wednesday, December 1, 2010
NC ADAP in the News
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports a new cap on ADAP enrollment likely in January of 2011.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
ADAP Update
Thanks to leadership from Gov. Purdue and our lawmakers, the state budget was approved with $14.1 million additional dollars allocated to assist with the ADAP waiting list crisis in our state. As of June 30, 2010 there were 800 people on the NC ADAP waiting list. Of those, 625 met the current eligibility of 125% of the FPL and will now receive medications. This is a significant victory, but 175 people who are above the 125% income level remain on the waiting list.
Going forward, it is expected that the current funding will be able to serve upwards of 800 additional eligible people. On average, the cost per enrollee in ADAP is $640 per month. The ADAP Program expects to enroll an average of 120 people per month, and projects that ADAP funding will again run out in February 2011 and a new waiting list will start.
Last week, the White House released its first National HIV/AIDS Strategy which includes a total of $25 million for states like NC that are in the trenches of the ADAP crisis. This is far less than the $126 million sought by HIV/AIDS Advocates nationally. NC has had to endure cost containment measures to decrease formularies and lower eligibility in addition to having the largest waiting list in the nation. NC will apply for this funding, which may allow for more people to be served.
In the meantime, January brings the start of the 2011 long session in the NC General Assembly. It is critical that advocates, consumers, and allies thank our supportive legislators and the Governor, but also continue to fight for to maintain funding and to seek additional funding for ADAP. It is expected that next year's budget will bring even larger shortfalls and cuts. Together we were victorious in communicating the importance of ADAP, and next year we will need to mobilize even stronger than we did this year.
Going forward, it is expected that the current funding will be able to serve upwards of 800 additional eligible people. On average, the cost per enrollee in ADAP is $640 per month. The ADAP Program expects to enroll an average of 120 people per month, and projects that ADAP funding will again run out in February 2011 and a new waiting list will start.
Last week, the White House released its first National HIV/AIDS Strategy which includes a total of $25 million for states like NC that are in the trenches of the ADAP crisis. This is far less than the $126 million sought by HIV/AIDS Advocates nationally. NC has had to endure cost containment measures to decrease formularies and lower eligibility in addition to having the largest waiting list in the nation. NC will apply for this funding, which may allow for more people to be served.
In the meantime, January brings the start of the 2011 long session in the NC General Assembly. It is critical that advocates, consumers, and allies thank our supportive legislators and the Governor, but also continue to fight for to maintain funding and to seek additional funding for ADAP. It is expected that next year's budget will bring even larger shortfalls and cuts. Together we were victorious in communicating the importance of ADAP, and next year we will need to mobilize even stronger than we did this year.
Friday, July 9, 2010
NCAAN Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :: NC ADAP Still in Crisis
CONTACT: Kathryn Schley, NCAAN Coordinator
kathryn.schley@aas-c.org, 919.834.2437 x13
CONTACT: Heidi Wulczyn, Director of Development
heidi.wulczyn@aas-c.org, 919.834.2437 x19
July 9, 2010 | RALEIGH, NC —
NC AIDS ACTION NETWORK RAISES CONCERN ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSE
TO THE GROWING AIDS DRUG ASSISTNACE PROGAM CRISIS
President’s plan, “simply does not address the need.”
The North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN) is extremely concerned with the Presidential response to the nationwide AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) crisis. Yesterday, the President proposed a $25 million solution to the ever growing crisis that is making its way across the country, a far cry from the necessary $126 million.
AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) provide life saving medications to low income, uninsured people living with HIV/AIDS. Currently, there is a $126 million short fall in the budget. The allocation of the $126 million would ensure that everyone who qualifies for ADAP would receive their medications for the remainder of the fiscal year. The current shortfall has brought waiting lists nationwide to an all time high with 2,291 people across 12 states, waiting for medications.
North Carolina tops the list with 811 people, followed by Florida (605 people), South Carolina (209 people), Kentucky (205 people), Louisiana (131 people), Utah (112 people), Iowa (100 people), Georgia (37 people), Idaho (26 people), Montana and South Dakota (both with 22 people), and Hawaii( 11 people).
Additionally, 12 states, including NC, have been forced to make cost containment changes such as lowering financial eligibility and reducing medication formularies. 7 other states are in the process of considering new or additional cost containment changes to the program.
“North Carolina, like many other states, is seeing a crisis unlike any we have ever seen before,” stated Kathryn Schley, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for NCAAN. “We are so proud that the NC General Assembly and the Governor did what they could to help our state by allocating $14.1 million for ADAP. Now, we need the President to act accordingly and propose the $126 million that is needed to alleviate the waiting lists. The President’s plan simply does not address the need.”
The proposed $25 million is a drop in the bucket in comparison to the conservative request for $126 million, which will not expand services, but only address the current waiting list crisis. Schley also indicated that these lists are growing by the day and people continue to wait for life saving medications. “This crisis is truly one of life and death. We are appreciative of the President’s action, but do not feel it will be sufficient. We implore the President to reconsider the proposal and include $126 million, so that people no longer have to wait for medications that save their lives,” Schley concluded.
For more information on NCAAN, go to www.ncaan.org; for more information on the Alliance, go to
www.aas-c.org.
Kathryn Schley
Policy & Advocacy Coordinator
kathryn.schley@aas-c.org
919.834.2437 x13
CONTACT: Kathryn Schley, NCAAN Coordinator
kathryn.schley@aas-c.org, 919.834.2437 x13
CONTACT: Heidi Wulczyn, Director of Development
heidi.wulczyn@aas-c.org, 919.834.2437 x19
July 9, 2010 | RALEIGH, NC —
NC AIDS ACTION NETWORK RAISES CONCERN ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSE
TO THE GROWING AIDS DRUG ASSISTNACE PROGAM CRISIS
President’s plan, “simply does not address the need.”
The North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN) is extremely concerned with the Presidential response to the nationwide AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) crisis. Yesterday, the President proposed a $25 million solution to the ever growing crisis that is making its way across the country, a far cry from the necessary $126 million.
AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) provide life saving medications to low income, uninsured people living with HIV/AIDS. Currently, there is a $126 million short fall in the budget. The allocation of the $126 million would ensure that everyone who qualifies for ADAP would receive their medications for the remainder of the fiscal year. The current shortfall has brought waiting lists nationwide to an all time high with 2,291 people across 12 states, waiting for medications.
North Carolina tops the list with 811 people, followed by Florida (605 people), South Carolina (209 people), Kentucky (205 people), Louisiana (131 people), Utah (112 people), Iowa (100 people), Georgia (37 people), Idaho (26 people), Montana and South Dakota (both with 22 people), and Hawaii( 11 people).
Additionally, 12 states, including NC, have been forced to make cost containment changes such as lowering financial eligibility and reducing medication formularies. 7 other states are in the process of considering new or additional cost containment changes to the program.
“North Carolina, like many other states, is seeing a crisis unlike any we have ever seen before,” stated Kathryn Schley, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for NCAAN. “We are so proud that the NC General Assembly and the Governor did what they could to help our state by allocating $14.1 million for ADAP. Now, we need the President to act accordingly and propose the $126 million that is needed to alleviate the waiting lists. The President’s plan simply does not address the need.”
The proposed $25 million is a drop in the bucket in comparison to the conservative request for $126 million, which will not expand services, but only address the current waiting list crisis. Schley also indicated that these lists are growing by the day and people continue to wait for life saving medications. “This crisis is truly one of life and death. We are appreciative of the President’s action, but do not feel it will be sufficient. We implore the President to reconsider the proposal and include $126 million, so that people no longer have to wait for medications that save their lives,” Schley concluded.
For more information on NCAAN, go to www.ncaan.org; for more information on the Alliance, go to
www.aas-c.org.
Kathryn Schley
Policy & Advocacy Coordinator
kathryn.schley@aas-c.org
919.834.2437 x13
Thursday, July 1, 2010
We Did It!
Thank you from NC AIDS Action Network!
The General Assembly finalized the state budget today, which includes a recurring funding increase of $14.1 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program!
Thanks to your calls, emails, and legislative visits, our voices were heard and many more North Carolinians will receive their life saving medications!
The funding should allow ADAP to enroll everyone currently on the waiting list who is at or below 125% of federal poverty.
In a tough budget year, securing additional funding for this program is a huge victory. But we know it's not enough. NCAAN will continue to advocate for those people ADAP is unable to serve in the coming year, and will work with the state to find creative ways to get better care to more people living with HIV.
Thank you for taking action and letting our policy makers know the importance of ADAP! Together, we are building a powerful movement and making a difference.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Schley, MSW
NC AIDS Action Network
The General Assembly finalized the state budget today, which includes a recurring funding increase of $14.1 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program!
Thanks to your calls, emails, and legislative visits, our voices were heard and many more North Carolinians will receive their life saving medications!
The funding should allow ADAP to enroll everyone currently on the waiting list who is at or below 125% of federal poverty.
In a tough budget year, securing additional funding for this program is a huge victory. But we know it's not enough. NCAAN will continue to advocate for those people ADAP is unable to serve in the coming year, and will work with the state to find creative ways to get better care to more people living with HIV.
Thank you for taking action and letting our policy makers know the importance of ADAP! Together, we are building a powerful movement and making a difference.
Sincerely,
Kathryn Schley, MSW
NC AIDS Action Network
Friday, June 4, 2010
$500 Million At Risk!
North Carolina budget makers are relying on Congress to extend Federal funding to assist with the current budget crisis.
ACT NOW
North Carolina is expecting $500 Million in federal assistance and the current budget includes this money.
Congress did not pass the bill that included this additional funding for states.
If the money is not restored, this will lead to an increased budget hole of $500 Million.
The effects of this budget hole will be devastating to NC. Jobs, healthcare, education, and other issues important to North Carolinians will be on the line.
It is likely the additional ADAP funding will not make the cut.
Please go to www.ncaan.org to send an action alert to our Congress members urging them to include the enhanced FMAP extention to ensure that our state and others receive the federal assistance we desperately need.
ACT NOW
North Carolina is expecting $500 Million in federal assistance and the current budget includes this money.
Congress did not pass the bill that included this additional funding for states.
If the money is not restored, this will lead to an increased budget hole of $500 Million.
The effects of this budget hole will be devastating to NC. Jobs, healthcare, education, and other issues important to North Carolinians will be on the line.
It is likely the additional ADAP funding will not make the cut.
Please go to www.ncaan.org to send an action alert to our Congress members urging them to include the enhanced FMAP extention to ensure that our state and others receive the federal assistance we desperately need.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
2010 HIV Advocacy Day!
The 2010 HIV Advocacy Day is one week away! Please go to www.ncaan.org to register to attend TODAY!
May 25, from 9-3 we will be at the General Assembly advocating for $17.7 million to fully fund ADAP. This funding would reopen the program to those on the waiting list, and open enrollment to those who meet program eligibility at the 125% Federal Poverty Level.
We will have an Advocacy 101 training, scheduled meetings with legislators, issue specific seminars, and a press conference and rally. Don't miss this opportunity to let your voice be heard!
North Carolina needs your help; as of Friday, we have 551 people on the ADAP waiting list, by far the largest in the country! Register today!
May 25, from 9-3 we will be at the General Assembly advocating for $17.7 million to fully fund ADAP. This funding would reopen the program to those on the waiting list, and open enrollment to those who meet program eligibility at the 125% Federal Poverty Level.
We will have an Advocacy 101 training, scheduled meetings with legislators, issue specific seminars, and a press conference and rally. Don't miss this opportunity to let your voice be heard!
North Carolina needs your help; as of Friday, we have 551 people on the ADAP waiting list, by far the largest in the country! Register today!
Monday, May 10, 2010
ADAP ACTION ALERT!! ACT NOW!!
TAKE ACTION NOW!
The NC AIDS Drug Assistance Program(ADAP) is in jeopardy and needs your support! Please call and email the following Senators with the important message that ADAP must be fully funded, to include $17.7 million in their budget.
Contact Senators TODAY!
Please take a moment to email the following Senators to advocate for the 506 North Carolinians on the waiting list relying on ADAP for life saving medications; it is likely that Senate budget decisions will be finalized this WEDNESDAY!
Go to www.ncaan.org to send the email blast!
These Senators need to hear from you! PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL TODAY!
Sen. Marc Basnight 919-733-6854
Sen. Bill Purcell 919-733-5953
Sen. Doug Berger 919-715-8363
Sen. Charlie Albertson 919-733-5705
Sen. A.B. Swindell 919-715-3030
Sen. Linda Garrou 919-733-5620
Sen. Charlie Dannelly 919-733-5955
(If you have personal stories to share, please do! Our Senators need to know the personal impact the ADAP crisis has on people in NC!)
The NC AIDS Drug Assistance Program(ADAP) is in jeopardy and needs your support! Please call and email the following Senators with the important message that ADAP must be fully funded, to include $17.7 million in their budget.
Contact Senators TODAY!
Please take a moment to email the following Senators to advocate for the 506 North Carolinians on the waiting list relying on ADAP for life saving medications; it is likely that Senate budget decisions will be finalized this WEDNESDAY!
Go to www.ncaan.org to send the email blast!
These Senators need to hear from you! PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL TODAY!
Sen. Marc Basnight 919-733-6854
Sen. Bill Purcell 919-733-5953
Sen. Doug Berger 919-715-8363
Sen. Charlie Albertson 919-733-5705
Sen. A.B. Swindell 919-715-3030
Sen. Linda Garrou 919-733-5620
Sen. Charlie Dannelly 919-733-5955
(If you have personal stories to share, please do! Our Senators need to know the personal impact the ADAP crisis has on people in NC!)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
HIV Advocacy Day 2010
NCAAN is pleased to announce the 2010 HIV Advocacy Day on May 25th. The day will provide the opportunity for advocates, consumers, and allies to join together in support of a variety of issues important to our agencies, and North Carolinians. The agenda will include an Advocacy 101 training, scheduled meetings with legislators, issue specific information sessions, a press conference and rally, and a series of special guests.
Please distribute this invitation far and wide, so that we can do our best to reach our goal of 100 participants! Interested parties can go to www.ncaan.org to register for the event. Participants will have the option to speak to legislators about the issues that are most important to them, with a focus on funding the NC AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
Help make this critical year a success and register today! More information will be distributed to participants once they are registered.
Please distribute this invitation far and wide, so that we can do our best to reach our goal of 100 participants! Interested parties can go to www.ncaan.org to register for the event. Participants will have the option to speak to legislators about the issues that are most important to them, with a focus on funding the NC AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
Help make this critical year a success and register today! More information will be distributed to participants once they are registered.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
AIDS Walk and Ride: This Saturday!
The Alliance of AIDS Services-Carolina is putting on the 15th annual AIDS Walk and Ride THIS SATURDAY! The festivities began at noon on Halifax Court in Downtown Raleigh. NCAAN will have a table set up with information and ways to sign up for Advocacy Day and NCAAN membership.
Come out for the walk, or just to show support for HIV/AIDS in North Carolina.
Visit www.aidswalkandride.org for details.
Hope to see you all there!
Come out for the walk, or just to show support for HIV/AIDS in North Carolina.
Visit www.aidswalkandride.org for details.
Hope to see you all there!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Welcome to NCAAN!
NCAAN is an advocacy organization that educates policy makers and all people in North Carolina about HIV/AIDS. We are a community network that is fighting for the rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS, their loved ones, and those at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS.
Our Mission is to reduce new HIV infections, promote quality care and treatment services for North Carolina and mobilize North Carolinans to take action.
We are a membership organization that thrives on community support and involvement. Becoming a member will show your support of HIV/AIDS policy reform, the rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS and will give you opportunities to get involved in making change in North Carolina.
If you would like to become a member, email your name, phone number, home address, and email address to kathryn.schley@aas-c.org
Follow our blog for updates on the NC AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) crisis, upcoming NCAAN events, and how to get involved!
Our Mission is to reduce new HIV infections, promote quality care and treatment services for North Carolina and mobilize North Carolinans to take action.
We are a membership organization that thrives on community support and involvement. Becoming a member will show your support of HIV/AIDS policy reform, the rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS and will give you opportunities to get involved in making change in North Carolina.
If you would like to become a member, email your name, phone number, home address, and email address to kathryn.schley@aas-c.org
Follow our blog for updates on the NC AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) crisis, upcoming NCAAN events, and how to get involved!
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