welcome
The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy & Action Group™ is a coalition of groups concerned about the growing epidemic of HIV/AIDS in our Commonwealth and the often unrecognized impact that this infection has on all Kentucky citizens.
Our membership includes people living with HIV/AIDS, medical and support care providers, representatives of payor organizations, community group leaders, and allied organizations.
We are working together to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in our Commonwealth with the goal of ensuring that those not infected with HIV/AIDS remain so and those living with HIV/AIDS receive the care and support that they need to lead rewarding lives.Victory: Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program Funded!
The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) announced today that improved program efficiencies, pharmaceutical rebates and supplemental funding from the federal government have led to the elimination of the list of individuals who were awaiting assistance from the Kentucky AIDS Drugs Assistance Program (KADAP).
Led by Kentucky Equality Federation, the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Group, and AVOL (AIDS Volunteers Inc.), organizations across the Commonwealth expressed alarm and dismay that the 2010 budget was passed without funding for the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (KADAP).
Today, we celebrate victory, thanks in part to everyone who signed the Kentucky Equality Federation and Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Group™ (KHAAG) action alert.
Click here to read the Kentucky Department of Public Health Press Release, or click here to read the Kentucky Equality Federation press release.
Special statement from KHAAG about 1.78 million dollars in relief funds
Special Statement from Bobby Edelen, Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group President:
The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group (“KHAAG”) is pleased that the Commonwealth of Kentucky was awarded $1.78 million dollars in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (“ADAP”) relief funds from the federal government. With this influx of money and other cost saving measures taken by the KDPH we will transition all of the remaining 251 people off of the wait list. It is projected that we will be able to absorb the projected 20 new cases every month for the rest of the fiscal year.
12 Kentucky Organizations Slam Frankfort over KADAP; most have uncertain future
In a proposed commonwealth budget that allocates over $3.4 billion for road projects, a small request of $3.5 million to fund the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (KADAP) has been ignored, leaving hundreds living with HIV/AIDS facing difficult choices.
- Click here to continue reading the rest of the article at United We Stand – Kentucky’s LGBTI News™.
Special Messages and Updates from KHAAG Leadership
It doesn’t matter how many times I go to Frankfort to testify or even to Washington I am struck with awe.
On February 17, 2010, I testified about the sad state of KADAP, (Kentucky Drug Assistance Program), highlighting the waiting list and other factors that caused health disparities among people living with HIV/AIDS. The representatives on the committee were attentive and polite. I think they were surprised that the Commonwealth was not contributing to KADAP.
There was other advocates there and the altogether the picture of how funding KADAP and other vital services was painted very well. Terri Jones and board member Monica Brown with Unicorn the Medwine Bell Foundation, an organization committed to testing and linking people to care, based in Louisville, KY. They spoke about how vital KADAP is in their efforts to getting those individuals into care..
Oppose House Bill 350 – We want physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. with training and education!
HIV and AIDS healthcare in Kentucky is decimated; the Commonwealth allowed the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program to expire. Now, lawmakers in Frankfort want to remove HIV/AIDS training requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Since treatment options change rapidly, it is imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS.
The health of over 5,000 low-income Kentuckians living with HIV are already in grave danger without the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and House Bill 350 will place the lives of those at risk of infection in grave danger.
» The Aids Volunteers of Lexington (AVOL) issues a position paper about the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program. (view).
» Joint Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group action alert with Kentucky Equality Federation. (view)
Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group today condemned House Bill 350 as ethically irresponsible and a crime against anyone living with HIV/AIDS
Lexington, KY (VIA PRWeb) February 10, 2010 – Two statewide advocacy groups, Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group today condemned House Bill 350 as ethically irresponsible and a crime against anyone living with HIV/AIDS.
House Bill 350 seeks to remove HIV/AIDS training and education requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Both organizations are opposed to the legislation because treatment options change rapidly, making it imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS. It is a matter of getting people in the proper care as soon as possible. This could be the difference in a healthy outcome or multiple misdiagnoses that would end up costing more financially either for the patient themselves or for the taxpayers of Kentucky.
Removing HIV/AIDS Education and Training Requirements
The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy & Action Group (“KHAAG”) is deeply concerned with House Bill 350, which remains in the House Standing Committee on Health and Welfare. House Bill 350 would remove the requirements that podiatrists, physicians, acupuncturists, physician’s assistants, athletic trainers, chiropractors, dentists, dental hygienists, registered nurses, advanced registered nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, optometrists, physical therapists, laboratory personnel, and social workers complete HIV/AIDS education and training as a condition of licensure or practice in the Commonwealth.
KHAAG and Kentucky Equality Federation will continue to monitor House Bill 350 and take appropriate action(s) should the Committee pass the legislation to the House floor.