Government Releases National Prevention Strategy
Today, June 16, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, along with the National Prevention Council, released the National Prevention Strategy (NPS). Outlining a comprehensive approach to health promotion and disease prevention, the NPS specifically states that access to quality reproductive health services and support for safe practices can decrease unintended pregnancies while reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis and other STIs. The strategy calls for increased use of screening services, affordable contraceptive programs, and effective sexual health education for both adolescents and seniors as pillars for promoting the health of America’s families and communities. It also calls for the targeting of these services in communities at highest risk for unintended pregnancy and HIV and STI infections.
Read NMAC’s statement on the the National Prevention Strategy here »
![[object Object]](http://nmac.convio.net/images/content/pagebuilder/11945.jpg){kind=small}
Center on Medicare and Medicaid Services Releases Guidance on 1115 Waivers
On June 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance for states who wish to apply for 1115 Medicaid demonstration projects, which would allow states to provide care through Medicaid for residents living with HIV. Currently, a person must be disabled by AIDS before they are eligible for coverage through the program. This inhumane policy leaves low-income individuals living with HIV, who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid, few avenues for accessing their treatment. It also places an ever growing burden on the nation’s Ryan White programs.
Read NMAC’s statement on the release of CMS’ guidance on 1115 waivers here »
Congressional Budget Battle
As the deadline for raising the debt limit draws closer, Congress continues its debate on deficit reduction and spending cuts. Republicans continue to push for reforms to Medicare and Medicaid, while Democratic leadership maintains its opposition to this approach. As Medicare and Medicaid are the largest providers of care to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, the debate could have a major impact on our nation’s response to the epidemic and ability to care for those living with the disease.
NMAC will continue to monitor the debate surrounding raising the debt limit and will update its constituents on any critical developments.
United Nations Meeting on HIV/AIDS
Following last week’s high-level United Nations meeting on the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, the body’s General Assembly adopted a new political declaration titled “Intensifying Our Efforts to Eliminate HIV/AIDS.” This important declaration is the first time in the history of the body’s efforts surrounding HIV/AIS in which the epidemic’s impact on gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM) was specifically addressed.
Read the General Assembly’s entire political declaration here »
Department of Health and Human Services Marks 30th Anniversary of AIDS
On June 8, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services held a symposium to mark the 30th anniversary of the AIDS epidemic. The event, titled Commemorating 30 Years of Leadership in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS, included opening remarks by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Speakers included NMAC Deputy Executive Director Daniel C. Montoya, Dr. Anthony Fauci from NIAID, Dazon Dixon Diallo of SisterLove, Mark Dybul from Georgetown University and Helene Gayle of CARE USA.
Read Daniel Montoya’s prepared remarks here »
Watch C-Span’s coverage of the symposium here »
About NMAC
The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) builds leadership within communities of color to address challenges of HIV/AIDS. Since 1987, NMAC has advanced this mission through a variety of programs and services, including: a public policy education program, national and regional training conferences, a treatment and research program, numerous publications and a website: https://www.nmac.org/.
Today, NMAC is an association of AIDS service organizations providing valuable information to community-based organizations, hospitals, clinics and other groups assisting individuals and families affected by the AIDS epidemic. NMAC’s advocacy efforts are funded through private funders and donors only.
For more information, contact NMAC directly at (202) 483-NMAC (6622) or communications@nmac.org.
About NMAC on the Hill
NMAC wants to make sure that our constituents are up to date on the latest activities in Congress and around Washington, DC that affect HIV/AIDS programs, funding, and the broader movement. To accomplish this, we will be sending regular updates on legislation, meetings and other happenings in the nation’s capital to keep you informed on what matters to our community.
Click here to email this message to a friend. To sign up for NMAC on the Hill, click here.
Visit the agency online at https://www.nmac.org/
Follow NMAC on:
If you received this e-mail in error or do not wish to receive future email from the National Minority AIDS Council, click here to remove yourself from the mailing list.