ADVOCACY ACTION CENTER

We can effect change. As we grow together, we can stand together and change the policies at the federal, state, and local levels. That’s what the Advocacy Action Center is all about — creating opportunities for policy change for those living with HIV. Our goal is to make sure that we have a seat at the table to make necessary changes, and we are ready and willing to advocate. Consider the information below a simple warehouse of documents to assist in advocacy resources, updates, and information.

To join us, click here and learn more.

Overview

Policy Priorities

Research

Advocacy Tips and Tools

Our activity in public health advocacy is incredibly strong at the national, state, and local levels. Not only do we have some amazing partnerships, but we also sit in some very high seats, allowing us to make lasting policy changes for people living with HIV and those possibly at risk of this epidemic.

Federal, State, and Local Advocacy:

Our work at the federal level is continually increasing as we support policies that help reduce HIV-related health disparities and enhance health benefits for people living with HIV, or those that may be at risk for HIV.

Nic Carlisle, the SAC executive director, sits on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS with 25 other appointed representatives in the nation to provide advice, information, and recommendations to the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

We are a part of the AIDS United Public Policy Council (PPC), which brings together organizations from across the United States to advocate for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and the organizations that serve them. This is a huge benefit of being a member of SAC.

In addition, we are involved in the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAPP), a coalition of local, regional and national organizations advocating for progressive federal HIV/AIDS legislation and policy in the US.

Our local advocacy allows us to organize grassroots efforts to support and directly impact health and wellness in our communities. At SAC, we remain committed to the meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in all aspects of the response to the epidemic. That’s why we are leading the charge to ensure that people living with HIV in the South are engaged and their voices continue to be heard. Our community organizers — Khafre Kujichagulia Abif and Gina M. Brown — travel throughout the South, speaking at events, facilitating workshops, and connecting people living with HIV to each other, to state-based advocacy networks, and to the Southern AIDS Coalition.

Policy Action Center:

Do you need help finding the right resource to advocate effectively for your situation? We are here to help. Consider this information a simple warehouse of documents to assist in advocacy resources, updates, and information.

Policy Priorities:


In January each year, our organization members and board of directors meet to discuss SAC’s policy priorities for the upcoming year. Our 2018 federal policy priorities are below:

  • The Affordable Care Act
  • Medicaid
  • Adequate Funding for Areas Most Affected by Epidemic
  • Innovative Healthcare Models
  • Funding for HOPWA
  • Ryan White

Research


Our evidence-based research is in collaboration with and support of our members and national partners. We have assessed and integrated data by working with researchers, practitioners, advocates, and policymakers. This research allows us to create programs in the South regarding the epidemic and influence policy decisions. Please use this research to assist in your daily advocacy needs.

Policy Papers

Ryan White Patient Equity and Choice Act (H.R. 4260): A Community Perspective

Rep. Renee Ellmers [R-NC-2] introduced a house bill, “The Ryan White Patient Equity and Choice Act,” H.R. 4260, on March 14, 2014. As an organization working on behalf of people living with HIV in the South, the Southern AIDS Coalition has a number of concerns regarding the proposed legislation. The Ryan White Program is an essential lifeline for individuals and families infected and affected by HIV. It is through careful thought and a process of community input that an appropriate piece of legislation can be drafted to address disparities in HIV treatment and care and continue to provide comprehensive services to all people living with HIV.

HOPWA Modernization Proposal: Need for Community Consensus

The President’s FY 2015 budget proposal, released in March 2014, included an outline of the update to the HOPWA program. The proposal included a number of significant changes, namely a momentous change to the HOPWA funding formula. The Southern AIDS Coalition has long supported an update to the HOPWA funding formula that would be based on living HIV/AIDS cases, but it is vitally important to gain community consensus on how to implement changes fairly and without destabilizing existing HIV/AIDS housing programs.

Southern States Manifesto: Update 2012

Numerous political, social, and health care issues affect men and women living with and fighting HIV in the South. The Southern States Manifesto: Update 2012 provides a detailed analysis of the current and complex issues that plague this region in crisis. With the Manifesto, SAC hopes to bring light and understanding to these issues and further encourage all individuals to use the Southern States Manifesto: Update 2012 as a tool and a resource to participate in HIV advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national level.

Housing Persons with HIV Disease

Persons who are homeless are more likely to be HIV positive. The health outcomes of HIV-positive persons are improved with stable housing.

Southern AIDS Coalition Supports Ryan White Reauthorization and Community Consensus Document

New Leadership Enables Organization to Fight HIV Disease in the Area of the Country Most Impacted by the Epidemic.

2009 – 2010 HIV/AIDS Health Care Policy Brief and Recommendations

The timing of The Southern AIDS Coalition’s release of 2009 – 2010 HIV/AIDS Health Care Policy Brief and Recommendations coincides with the monumental effort to enact health care reform in the United States within the context of major state and federal budget shortfalls and deficits. Southern states face a nearly $20 billion collective shortfall for fiscal year 2010 and as a result most states are predicting major Medicaid cuts in the near future

Presentations

Southern AIDS Coalition and Southern HIV/AIDS Strategy Initiative Host Southern HIV Plenary at 2015 USCA.

September 21, 2015

The Southern AIDS Coalition (SAC) and the Southern HIV/AIDS Strategy Initiative (SASI) presented a plenary on HIV in the South at #2015USCA. Held Saturday, Sept 12, 2015 in Washington, DC. Moderated by Kathie Hiers, the talk featured: Dr. Shanell McGoy, Director of HIV/STD, Tennessee Department of Health and Vice Chair, National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors; Cedric Sturdevant, Project Coordinator, My Brother’s Keeper, Jackson, Mississippi; Monica Johnson, Founder and CEO, HEROES, Northeast Louisiana; Robert Greenwald, Clinical Director of Law, Harvard Law School and Director, Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation; and Robert Suttle, Assistance Director, SERO Project.

HOPWA Modernization Proposal: Need for Community Input and Consensus

May 22, 2014

Join the National AIDS Housing Coalition (NAHC), the Southern AIDS Coalition, Southern HIV/AIDS Strategy Initiative, and HIV Prevention Justice Alliance for a community discussion on the modernization proposal for the Housing for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA).
The President’s FY 2015 budget proposal, released in March, included an outline of the update to the HOPWA program. The proposal included significant changes, such as the addition of new short-and medium-term housing interventions, assistance for homeless persons, and increased administrative fees. Additionally, the update included a momentous change to the HOPWA funding formula.

While the HIV/AIDS housing community has long supported a change to the HOPWA funding formula that would be based on living HIV/AIDS cases, it is vitally important to gain community consensus on how to implement changes fairly and without destabilizing existing HIV/AIDS housing programs.

Partners from NAHC, AIDS Alabama, AIDS Project Los Angeles, and AIDS United will share an overview of the HOPWA legislation, present community perspectives from differing jurisdictions, and provide context of the current political landscape. The webinar will end with a Q&A session and opportunity for comment, with the goal of building community input and consensus on a fair and equitable way to implement changes to the HOPWA funding formula.

Webinar on Marketplaces and Ryan White for States Not Expanding Medicaid

February 26, 2014

 Is your state one of these 24 NOT expanding Medicaid to cover all low-income people? (Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming). If so, this webinar is for you!

This free webinar is designed for case managers, peer navigators, planning council members and anyone else working on the front lines of the HIV epidemic, working in the states where Medicaid is not expanding.

During this 90-minute webinar policy experts from the Southern HIV/AIDS Strategy Initiative and the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation will cover several topics, including:

Accessing Navigators and other supports to avoid consumer scams

Selecting the best private health insurance plan

“Vigorously pursuing” ACA insurance yet remaining on the Ryan White program if that is the best course of action for you (or your client)

Spotting and reporting problems with marketplace insurance to support ongoing advocacy and improve coverage for people living with HIV

Advocacy Tips and Tools


(Click your state)

|   Alabama   |

|   Florida   |

|   GEORGIA   |

|   LOUISIANA   |

|   MISSISSIPI   |

|   NORTH CAROLINA   |

|  SOUTH CAROLINA   |

|   TENNESSEE   |

|   TEXAS   |

WordPress Video Lightbox Plugin
X