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.