ADAP Watch

As 2011 comes to a close, we are especially grateful to the public officials responsible for maintaining the state ADAP budget and securing additional federal funds to clear 300 people from the ADAP waitlist earlier this year:

As of December 29, 2011 there are:

• 6,546 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 6,025 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 521 are enrolled in SPAP
• 122 individuals on the waiting list

As of December 22, 2011 there were:

• 6,537 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 6,016 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 521 are enrolled in SPAP
• 118 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released on December 21, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 4,387 people. That report shows NC as having 118 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on December 20, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 2.69% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found at http://www.nastad.org/default.aspx.

ADAP Watch

As of December 22, 2011 there are:

• 6,537 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 6,016 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 521 are enrolled in SPAP
• 118 individuals on the waiting list

As of December 15, 2011 there were:

• 6,502 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,981 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 521 are enrolled in SPAP
• 113 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released on December 21, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 4,387 people. That report shows NC as having 118 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on December 20, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 2.69% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found at http://www.nastad.org/default.aspx.

NCAAN Invites Nominations for Board Membership

NCAAN is seeking three new members for its Board of Directors.

The Board is charged with advising, governing, overseeing policy and direction, and assisting with the leadership and general promotion of NCAAN so as to support the organization’s mission and needs.

NCAAN strives to elect Board members who are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and who contribute to Board diversity along lines of gender, geography, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

We are currently seeking Board members with skills and experience in finance, fundraising and/or marketing. If interested, please send a short paragraph describing relevant experience and/or a resume to the Nominating Committee via Laura Kirby, LKirby@wncap.org.

Thanks!

ADAP Watch

As of December 1, 2011 there are:

• 6,463 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,943 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 520 are enrolled in SPAP
• 109 individuals on the waiting list

As of November 22, 2011 there were:

• 6,440 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,920 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 520 are enrolled in SPAP
• 101 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released on November 18, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 6,595 people. That report shows NC as having 95 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on November 16, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 1.44% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found at http://www.nastad.org/default.aspx.

ADAP Watch

As of November 22, 2011 there are:

• 6,440 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)

• 5,920 are enrolled in ADAP
• 520 are enrolled in SPAP

• 101 individuals on the waiting list.

As of November 17, 2011 there were:

• 6,419 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)

• 5,899 are enrolled in ADAP
• 520 are enrolled in SPAP

• 97 individuals on the waiting list.

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released on November 18, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 6,595 people. That report shows NC as having 95 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on November 16, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 1.44% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found at http://www.nastad.org/default.aspx.

ADAP Watch, Special Edition

As of November 14, 2011, there were:

6403 clients enrolled (5885 on ADAP and 518 on SPAP)

88 clients on the waiting list.

(We will resume our regular updates with the next report from the state.)

ADAP Watch

As of November 3, 2011 there are:

• 6,373 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,862 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 511 are enrolled in SPAP
• 81 individuals on the waiting list

As of October 28, 2011 there were:

• 6,328 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,816 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 512 are enrolled in SPAP
• 71 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released today, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 6,489 people. That report shows NC as having 78 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on November 2, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 1.2% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found at http://www.nastad.org/default.aspx.

An NCAAN Intern in Washington

On September 30, on behalf of NCAAN, I joined nearly 75 community leaders from across the state of North Carolina to visit the White House and participate in a dialogue about government policies and how we can interact better with the White House.

Our delegation joined a delegation from Georgia, and the joined group met with Jon Carson Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. The day’s agenda included breakout sessions on health care, education, veterans affairs, etc. (and even included a tour of the East Wing of the White House).

I was moved by the commitment so many of my colleagues demonstrated to serving the citizens of North Carolina who are most in need, and are so often overlooked. During a break-out session on health care, one of the many who spoke resoundingly for the need of affordable health care solutions was a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, Senator Eric Mansfield. I was proud of his contribution to this important and ongoing dialogue, and of his dedication to finding feasible solutions for everyone.

The trip with so many diverse and dynamic community leaders was inspirational. I look forward to continuing to apply that same enthusiasm as I continue to work with NCAAN and to advocate for the rights of PLWHA in North Carolina.

ADAP Watch

As of October 13, 2011 there are:

• 6,265 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)

• 5,756 are enrolled in ADAP
• 509 are enrolled in SPAP

• 58 individuals on the waiting list

As of October 6, 2011 there were:

• 6,235 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)

• 5,729 are enrolled in ADAP
• 506 are enrolled in SPAP

• 59 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released today, there are 10 states with waiting lists, totaling 7,299 people. That report shows NC as having 58 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on October 12, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 0.79% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found here.

ADAP Emergency Relief Serves 300 People Living with HIV/AIDS in NC

Late last month, we announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had released $3M in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) emergency relief funding for North Carolina -- part of a total package of nearly $44M in federal funding for HIV/AIDS care and medications in our state.

We wanted to make sure to follow up with this news from the NC Department of Health & Human Services:

The NC ADAP received three million dollars in ADAP Shortfall Relief funds from HRSA. As a result of this funding, we moved 300 clients from the waiting list into active enrollment [on October 6th]. The 59 individuals who remain on the waiting list were added to the waiting list after July 1, 2011. Clients who remain on the waiting list are eligible to receive medications from Welvista and other PAPs.

Please help us to spread the word -- and let us know how you feel about these developments!

Ignorance Isn't Bliss

Sen. James Forrester, the lead sponsor of the anti-LGBT amendment that will go before North Carolina voters this fall, can't seem to let go of his wrong-headed notions about gay people and HIV.

So it's good to see this interview of Forrester by radio show host Michael Signorile circulating widely today. At least some people are hearing that gay people don't actually die an average of 20 years sooner than heterosexuals because of AIDS, as Sen. Forrester has repeatedly claimed.

And yet, there's a larger issue at the root of all this that's not getting quite as much attention as it deserves: the interconnections between HIV-related stigma, discrimination and homophobia.

You can bet this won't be the last time we hear supporters of the anti-LGBT amendment cite AIDS as part of the problem they're trying to 'solve' through their hurtful campaign.

And you can bet this political rhetoric will bleed over into social spaces like churches and sports leagues, making it more difficult for people living with HIV/AIDS to find supportive environments.

We're developing programs to help push back the wave of HIV-related stigma we're expecting between now and May 2012, when the anti-LGBT amendment will go before voters.

And we'll be working in coalition with Equality North Carolina to ensure a victory that day--not just because the language of the amendment jeopardizes the access that hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDS have to health insurance through domestic partner benefits, but also because these attacks on LGBT people are attacks on the HIV/AIDS community, too.

Right now, we have two great ways for you to help:

If you're in the Triangle region, we're asking you to join us in supporting Equality North Carolina's efforts to defeat the constitutional amendment next Tuesday and/or Wednesday night, when we'll be sending volunteers to help ENC at their office in downtown Raleigh. To volunteer, simply contact sam@equalitync.org -- and let her know that NCAAN sent you!

And wherever you are, please take a moment to sign Equality North Carolina's pledge to vote NO on Amendment One. Just click here and take the pledge.

Please join us -- because ignorance isn't bliss, but winning a fight against HIV-related stigma, discrimination and homophobia really is.

NCAAN Applauds $3M in ADAP Emergency Relief for North Carolina

The North Carolina AIDS Action Network applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for releasing $3M in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) emergency relief funding for North Carolina -- part of a total package of nearly $44M in federal funding for HIV/AIDS care and medications in our state.

"We're pleased to see the federal government recognizing that there's a great need to address HIV/AIDS in North Carolina and in the rest of the South," said NCAAN Executive Director Lisa Hazirjian.

These new funds will allow North Carolina to begin providing life-saving medications to many people living with HIV/AIDS who have been wait-listed for ADAP.

Currently 356 individuals with incomes between 125+% and 300% of the federal poverty line are on North Carolina's ADAP wait list. North Carolina's ADAP currently serves 5400 people with income at or below 125% of the federal poverty line.

Aaron Lucier, Board President of the Pitt County AIDS Service Organization (PiCASO) noted that "this additional funding comes at at a key time for those struggling with balancing needs like food and shelter with getting their medication in our rural areas, small towns and major cities."

Katherine Foster, President of AIDS Care Services, Inc., in Winston-Salem, welcomed the news as well. "These important funds will go a long way in keeping HIV+ individuals healthy and active so they can be there for their families and communities," Foster said. "When those living with HIV have access to life saving anti-retroviral medications, families will be more stable and productive. This has a positive impact on many people, not just those infected with the disease."

NCAAN will continue to talk with key state officials as they determine how many people these new funds will allow them to take off the wait list.

Please help us to keep everyone who cares about HIV/AIDS up-to-date on the latest policy news by inviting them to subscribe to our newsletter and to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Check Out our New Website & Facebook Campaign!

Effective advocacy depends upon great communication.

That's why we're thrilled to be launching our brand new website today with a Facebook campaign to raise awareness about the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) waitlist in North Carolina.

We've been working for months on our new website, so please check it out -- you'll find all the details of our One Like, One Ribbon Facebook campaign and much, much more!

Whether we're educating people about important policy issues, publicizing upcoming events, or mobilizing supporters in an advocacy campaign, we need to be able to share information quickly. With our new website and social media tools (and our cool new email system, too) we'll be able to keep you better informed and better engaged in this work.

Take a look and let us know what you think, because today is only the beginning -- we'll be bringing on new communications people in the coming weeks to help us make our these tools even better.

Fair Housing Rights for PLWHA

North Carolina has a shortage of affordable transitional and permanent housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. And HIV-related stigma can make it more difficult for people to find and keep suitable housing - especially if they face discrimination in the housing market.

These issues concern us all in the HIV/AIDS community.

So we want to make sure you know about upcoming FREE workshops being offered by the The North Carolina Fair Housing Project, part of Legal AIDS North Carolina.

Topics include:

* Fair Housing Rights for People with Disabilities;
* Local Government Obligations to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing; and
* Fair Housing: Know Your Rights.

For more information and to register for upcoming sessions in Raleigh and Durham, please click here.

ADAP Watch

As of September 15, 2011 there are:

• 5,861 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,384 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 351 individuals on the waiting list

As of September 8, 2011 there were:

• 5,834 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,356 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 478 are enrolled in SPAP
• 345 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released today, there are 10 states with waiting lists, totaling 8,804 people. That report shows NC as having 350 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on September 14, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 3.97% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found here.

Stop the Lies. Stop the Stigma. Stop the Anti-LGBT Amendment

Today, the NC legislature reconvenes to debate House and Senate versions of a bill to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage (which is already illegal in NC) as well as civil unions and domestic partnerships between same-sex couples.

NCAAN staff, interns, and volunteers have fought alongside our coalition partner Equality North Carolina over the past several months to oppose this incredibly hurtful legislation.

We've known from the start that passage of this legislation will lead to a fourteen-month, multi-million dollar media battle full of hurtful lies about gay North Carolinians and harmful lies about HIV/AIDS.

A few nights ago, we got a preview of what's to come if this bill passes, putting the issue on the ballot in 2012.

Speaking at a public forum about why he is lead sponsor of the anti-LGBT amendment, Sen. James Forrester -- who is also a practicing physician -- made this preposterous claim:

"At least 20 years is taken off a homosexual's life if they practice homosexual activity" Forrester said, citing "the increased death rate from AIDS and hepatitis... but that doesn't seem to discourage them from practicing that, um, unhealthy lifestyle.... We need to reach out to them and try to get them to change their lifestyle back to the normal lifestyle."

Heard enough? Because, here's the thing:

If we allow this bill to pass, we're going to keep on hearing this sort of thing over and over and over for the next fourteen months, as those who seek to write discrimination into our state constitution vilify gay people and spread lies about HIV/AIDS.

RIGHT NOW, we have our LAST opportunity to prevent that from happening:

* Right now, please call your state legislators and urge them to oppose the anti-LGBT amendment (you can look them up here);

* Tonight, join a Vigil for Equality at these locations across the state:

Raleigh Vigil for Equality

Bicentennial Plaza, 1 East Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC


Statewide vigils:

Asheville's Vigil for Equality

Vance Monument, downtown Asheville, NC

Charlotte Vigil for Equality


Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza Charlotte, NC

Duke and Durham: Love=Love Candlelight Vigil

Duke Chapel, 401 Chapel Drive, Durham, NC


Fayetteville: SANDHILLS ALLIANCE Vigil for Equality

Cross Creek Park, 216 Green Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina

Greensboro Candlelight Vigil for Equality

Guilford County Courthouse Plaza on Greene St (between W. Market St and W. Washington St) FREE parking is available at the Green St. Parking Deck, 211 S Greene St, Greensboro, NC

Greenville Vigil for Equality


Pitt County Court House,
100 W 3rd St. 
Greenville, NC


Wilmington: UNCW PRIDE Vigil for Equality

UNCW Clock Tower, 601 S. College Rd., Wilmington NC

Winston-Salem Vigil for Equality


Grace Court Park, 931 West 4th Street, Winston-Salem, NC


* Tomorrow, join the RALLY AGAINST THE ANTI-LGBT AMENDMENT at noon on Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh at the state legislative complex.

For more details on the rally, click here.

ADAP Watch

As of September 8, 2011 there are:

• 5,834 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,356 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 478 are enrolled in SPAP
• 345 individuals on the waiting list

As of September 1, 2011 there were:

• 5,811 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,334 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 340 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released today, there are 11 states with waiting lists, totaling 9,066 people. That report shows NC as having 342 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on September 7, 2011. NC accounts for approximately 3.77% of the national ADAP waiting list. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found here.

Tell Congress NO on Cuts to Medicaid!

Please read and act on this urgent action alert from AIDS United!

Medicaid could be a target for deep cuts when the “super committee” begins meeting this week. The “super committee,” the group of Congressional Members charged with reducing the federal deficit starts meeting this week—we need to exert pressure now!

• Millions of Americans, including persons living with HIV/AIDS, rely on Medicaid for their basic health care needs;
• Devastating cuts will put the health of the most vulnerable populations at risk;
• Members of Congress are paying close attention to public opinion on this issue as many of them will be up for reelection next year

In a matter of seconds, you can make an impact on this critical issue in one of two easy ways!

1. Click the "Take Action Now" text above to send an email to your Senators and Representative, telling them that you are strongly AGAINST cutting Medicaid and that they must protect this vital program.
2. You can also tweet your Senators and Representatives. There will be a default tweet message will be filled in for you.

Learn more about the Super Committee and how their decisions could impact Medicaid

ADAP Watch

As of September 1, 2011 there are:

• 5,811 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,334 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 340 individuals on the waiting list

As of August 25, 2011 there were:

• 5,779 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,302 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 333 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released on August 25, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 9,141 people. That report shows NC as having 332 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on August 24, 2011. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found here.

Get Social with NCAAN & NCRHC

Who: Everyone who cares about HIV/AIDS & enjoys getting to know other people who share their commitments.

What: North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN) / NC Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC) social mixer.

When: Wednesday, September 7th, 6:30-8:30pmWhere: The Station/Southern Rail, 201-C East Main Street, Carrboro, NC 27510.

Why: Lots of reasons...

* We'll be celebrating NCHRC's work to bring the conference "Reducing Harm & Building Communities: Addressing Drug Use in the South" to the Research Triangle;

* We'll be bringing people together to forge community ties among people who care about HIV/AIDS, and to provide people from each organization an opportunity to meet one another; and,

* We'll be working together to raise awareness about the need for sensible harm reduction policies to prevent the spread of HIV & hepatitis.

How: Just gather up your friends and join us at the Station/Southern Rail on Wednesday night! Suggested donation of $10; all proceeds go to benefit NCAAN & NCHRC.

Look forward to seeing you there!

ADAP Watch

As of August 25, 2011 there are:

• 5,779 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,302 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 333 individuals on the waiting list

As of August 18, 2011 there were:

• 5,756 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,279 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 477 are enrolled in SPAP
• 328 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, released on August 19, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 9,201 people. That report shows NC as having 327 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on August 17, 2011. NASTAD’s ADAP Watch can be found here.

NCAAN Announces Funding Opportunity to Encourage Local HIV Advocacy

The North Carolina AIDS Action Network is pleased to announce a funding opportunity for 501(c)(3) organizations doing significant HIV-related work in North Carolina.

Four grants of $2500 each are intended specifically to encourage regional community organizing and HIV advocacy capacity-building projects. We are grateful to AIDS United for supporting this initiative.

For fuller details, including instructions on how to apply, please read our RFP.

We look forward to reviewing your proposals!

Hurricane Preparedness Update for ADAP & SPAP

As a public service, we are passing along Hurricane Preparedness information issued today by the NC Department of Health & Human Services for NC ADAP & SPAP patients:

In preparation for this weekends expected severe weather, Walgreens has processed shipments early. By tomorrow they will have sent out any confirmed shipments that are due by September 1, including bulk delivery sites. In the event of an emergency, the best way to reach Walgreens is by calling the call center. Providers and case managers should call 1-888-516-8003. Clients should call 1-800-573-3602. Calls to the call center will be answered by operators in other parts of the country if the Orlando location loses power. The call center can assist if a client runs out of medication, needs to refill early or needs new medication delivered to an alternate address. In the event of a power or phone outage, as a last resort, clients can go to any Walgreens store in North Carolina (or bordering Walgreens Districts in VA and SC) and identify themselves as an NC ADAP or NC SPAP patient and the staff will do their best to assist them.

Why Intern with NCAAN?

We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have had amazing interns at NCAAN this past spring and summer. As a small organization, we truly depend upon the talent and energy that motivated interns bring to our work. We literally could not accomplish our goals without them.

So it's no wonder that we're putting out the call for new interns, with five exciting new openings:

* Communication Intern

* Community Organizing Intern

* Development Intern

* Public Policy Intern

* Special Events Intern

To learn more & apply, check out our official posting on Idealist.

And please, help us spread the word about why anyone with a passion for fighting for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and the ability to make a serious commitment to us for the next three months should apply.

Here are three things that really stand out about NCAAN as an internship host:

1) NCAAN interns get to work directly with the Executive Director, Board members, and coalition partners. That means that our interns get the benefit of working alongside professionals who can mentor them. And it means that when our student interns look for post-graduate employment, we can speak firsthand about the great work they've done with us.

2) NCAAN interns get to be treated like essential members of the team. That's the feedback we've gotten from past interns who've told us how much they appreciated being treated like a true colleague. And it's no wonder--because our interns really are essential to our work.

3) NCAAN interns get to show off their talents and develop the skills required for their future career paths. Simply put, we need more talented and ambitious people working together to reach our goals--so when we find people with talent and ambition, we put those traits to good use. And in this job market, the most competitive job applicants are the ones who can demonstrate that they've already developed and used specific skill sets to help an organization reach its goals.

We want our interns to have a great experience that's a true win-win.

It all starts by putting the word out... so please help us spread the word!

ADAP Watch

As of August 11, 2011 there are:

• 5,756 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)

• 5,279 are enrolled in ADAP
• 477 are enrolled in SPAP

• 328 individuals on the waiting list

As of August 11, 2011 there were:

• 5,727 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)

• 5,251 are enrolled in ADAP
• 476 are enrolled in SPAP
• 322 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, there are 12 states with waiting lists, totaling 9,217 people. That report shows NC as having 318 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on August 10, 2011. NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch can be found here.

AIDS United Publishes State Profile on NC HIV/AIDS Info

Looking for information about HIV/AIDS in North Carolina?

AIDS United has just published new state profiles on HIV/AIDS across the United States.

Check out their detailed profile for North Carolina. Post your feedback & we'll pass it along!

Hats Off to ALFA!

If you read the news regularly, you know that HIV doesn't make many headlines these days. Media silence about HIV can be hard to break--and those silences perpetuate ignorance and HIV-related stigma.

So we wanted to give special recognition to our friends at ALFA in Hickory, who recently broke that silence in an unexpected place: Wilkes County.

This story in the Wilkes Journal-Patriot packed a lot of punch:

* It dispelled the myth that HIV is an exclusively urban problem; in fact, 1 in 4 HIV cases in NC are first diagnosed in rural areas;

* It drew attention to the availability of care services outside of urban centers; and,

* It publicized opportunities for community institutions to partner with ALFA in providing testing services in "non-traditional" sites, from college campuses to clubs to churches.

So: Hats off to our friends at ALFA for the great coverage--we love to see it!

ADAP Watch

As of August 11, 2011 there are:

• 5,727 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,251 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 476 are enrolled in SPAP
• 322 individuals on the waiting list

As of August 4, 2011 there were:

• 5,685 individuals enrolled in HIV/AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAP & SPAP)
  • 5,211 are enrolled in ADAP
  • 474 are enrolled in SPAP
• 316 individuals on the waiting list

According to NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch, there are 13 states with waiting lists, totaling 9,039 people. That report shows NC as having 316 clients on the waiting list, which was our official count at COB on August 4, 2011. NASTAD’s most recent ADAP Watch can be found here.

"A Ludicrous Delay"

Few people speak as intelligently and pointedly about NC policy issues as Chris Fitzsimon at NC Policy Watch.

So we're going to let him speak for himself about the latest atrocities in the unfolding Medicaid story. Excerpts quoted below; you can read the full story at the Fitzsimon Files:

Lawmakers slashed $356 million from the Medicaid budget in the current fiscal year, and another 407 million next year. State Medicaid dollars are matched two to one by the federal government so the cuts take a total of more than $2 billion dollars out of the program.

That funding not only supports tens of thousands of jobs in the health care industry, it pays for services to children, seniors, pregnant women, people with a disability, people living with HIV/AIDS, and other vulnerable populations.

Republicans didn’t slash many specific Medicaid programs and services. They were too politically smart to do that. Instead they ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to come up with the savings—even if that means slashing vital services.....

State officials say almost everything is on the table, like no longer providing prosthetics to people who lose an arm or leg, ending dental services for seniors, even stopping prescription drug coverage.

The more you hear, the worse it sounds. Doctors could only prescribe life-saving medication for people living with HIV/AIDS after prior authorization, a ludicrous delay since the patient literally needs the drugs to survive.

As the North Carolina AIDS Action Network points out, a recent multinational study led by researchers at UNC found that early drug treatment for HIV/AIDS patients reduces transmission rates as much as 96 percent.

Nobody should need some additional authorization to prevent more people from being infected with HIV or to help people stay alive who are living with the disease.

And state officials shouldn’t have to make it harder for people with Multiple Sclerosis to see a doctor or even remotely consider denying an artificial limb to a woman who loses an arm or leg.

They shouldn’t have to, but they do because of the draconian and heartless budget the Republicans approved.

They ought to be ashamed.

Let's Get Visual

Recently, we sat down with Durham-based documentary artist Lisa Marie Albert to talk about ways to harness the creativity of the HIV/AIDS community and the expressive power of the visual arts to advance our goals.

So it was only natural that we'd turn to her for suggestions on how to create Visual Media Tool Kits that will provide people with new ways to express their compassion, their concern, and their commitment to fighting for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, their loved ones, and people at risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS in North Carolina.

And that's where you come in. We're asking everyone to collect materials to donate to NCAAN for our Visual Media Tool Kits project. Here are some of Lisa Marie's suggestions of the types of things we can use:

- poster board and canvasses

- old magazines to cut from (words, letters, pictures)

- scissors

- lots of new markers, lots of colors

- crayons

- paint (acrylic or poster paint)

- paintbrushes

- pencils

- glue (wet for glitter, and glue sticks for magazines)

- glitter or glitter paint

- other arts & crafts stuff

- colored tissue paper

- construction/art/scrap booking paper

- stencils for words/lettering

- modge podge (dries very clear, so good for use over magazine/tissue)

- condoms (for gluing to posters as part of the art)

- dental dams (if you can get some)

- beads (could glue them on for more decoration)

- double-sided tape

- other stuff, too!!!

Have stuff to donate? Drop an email to Lisa at lisa@ncaan.org & we'll figure out the best way to connect based on your location!

Cost-Cutting Measures May Cause Treatment Delays for PLWHA

According to a story from the News & Observer, a Medicaid panel is hearing options for extra budget cuts. These cuts may include a requirement for prior authorization for doctors to prescribe HIV/AIDS medication.

Over the summer, NCAAN worked hard advocating in the state legislature to make sure there was no requirement for prior authorization for people living with HIV/AIDS, and we succeeded.

However, the state budget requires more than $350 million in cuts. Further, because the federal government gives $2 to the state Medicaid program for every $1 made by the state, this means the actual cuts to the North Carolina state Medicaid program will total more than $1 billion. A Medicaid panel outlined where these cost-cutting measures would come from included a variety of things, including a requirement for prior authorization for HIV/AIDS medications.

Prior Authorization impedes access by requiring doctors to get authorization from Medicaid before prescribing these life-saving drugs. Studies show that prior authorization requirements significantly delay access to these life-saving medications. Any delay in treatment caused by these requirements threatens the lives and health of people living with HIV/AIDS. Treatment interruptions can also create drug-resistant strains of HIV. Also, A new UNC-led multinational study shows early treatment with HIV/AIDS medications may reduce transmission rates by up to 96%.

We need you to stand with NCAAN in opposing any prior authorization requirement for HIV/AIDS medications, and the threat it poses to people living with HIV/AIDS.