Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy & Action Group

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..

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM KENTUCKY HIV/AIDS ADVOCACY ACTION GROUP (KHAAG) PRESIDENT BOBBY EDELEN:

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..

Michelle Figueroa, a registered nurse gave testimony about her personal experience of working with the U of L Pharmacist and how she had an appreciation for how the medication work. Michelle end with an eloquent emotional plea for re-funding KADAP.

Representative Burch, a Champion for the cause of health equity ask some very astute questions. In those questions he demonstrated his support for re-funding KADAP and willingness to work on some measures to eradicate the waiting list.

Representative Watkins had a side-bar about HB-350 that he sponsored and supported wholeheartedly. After the hearing adjourned I approached him to inform him that KHAAG had sent out our position paper, which he knew about, and we called for it to be defeated. We had a short and cordial discussion about the issue and I think we agreed to disagree on this issue.

We must bring pressure to bear on the Budget Committee to let them know that we are concerned about KADAP and other funding issues we think is essential for better health care outcomes for people in Kentucky infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

SPECIAL UPDATE FROM OUR ALLY: KENTUCKY EQUALITY FEDERATION PRESIDENT JORDAN PALMER:

On Tuesday, the day before KHAAG President  Bobby Edelen testified, a volunteer and I met with lawmakers in Frankfort about restoring the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (KADAP).  Restoring the program received support from senior lawmakers; Kentucky Equality Federation remains optimistic about the program being restored before the end of the legislative session.  Without KADAP, the lives of over 5,000 Kentuckians who cannot afford medications remain at risk!

KHAAG President  Bobby Edelen and I will meet with senior lawmakers in Frankfort again on Wednesday.

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM GARY FOWLER – KHPAC/SPECIAL ADVISER:

Big KUDOS to those who participated and helped make this year, a year of change — Yes We Can (Obama). If you see or hear from any of these folks, or if I am missing someone,

Here are the players to thank:

Bobby Edelen — KHAAG President
Gary Fowler — KHPAC/Special Adviser and Mentor
Sigga Jagne — HIV/AIDS Branch Manager
Jordan Palmer — Kentucky Equality Federation President