Can't Get to Springfield? Be an Armchair Advocate for 2007 HIV/AIDS Lobby Day!

Read about two outstanding advocates from Lobby Day 2007

March 20, 2007 - TAKE ACTION: Ask Lawmakers to Invest in HIV-Related Healthcare, Prevention, and Testing

Calls are needed TODAY to state senators and representatives to urge them to support initiatives to expand healthcare, HIV prevention, and HIV testing, without diminishing important patient protections against involuntary testing. If you don't know who represents you in the Illinois House and Senate, enter your address at http://www.vote-smart.org.

LEAVE THIS MESSAGE: “I am calling to ask you to please support the governor’s ‘Illinois Covered’ proposal and increase funding for HIV prevention and testing programs. In addition, please support strong patient protections against involuntary, uninformed HIV testing.”

BACKGROUND: More than 160 advocates from across the state gather in Springfield today for the 7th Annual Illinois HIV/AIDS Lobby Days. Building on a “superhero” theme, the two action-packed days of events are designed to highlight ways state lawmakers can use their powers to advance by leaps and bounds the anti-HIV agenda. Donning “super hero” t-shirts, constituent advocates will ask General Assembly members to support the governor’s “Illinois Covered” healthcare expansion initiative, projected to cover an estimated 20,000 low- and moderate-income Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS, and increase funding for HIV-related programs and services. Finally, advocates will ask lawmakers to establish and adequately fund a new testing-expansion program and protect patients’ rights to written informed consent to obtain HIV testing.

AIDS advocates from across the Illinois will gather in Sprinfield to ask State legislators for their support on the following issues:

• Preserve the right to written, informed consent for HIV testing. READ FACTSHEET
• Support a $2 million increase to invigorate HIV prevention in Illinois. READ FACTSHEET
• Expand voluntary HIV testing in healthcare settings to link undiagnosed individuals to HIV-related medical care and support services. READ FACTSHEET
• Establish a scratch-off lottery game called Quality of Life, proceeds of which would fund HIV/AIDS prevention and care services for populations disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. READ FACTSHEET
• Support Governor Blagojevich's “Illinois Covered”
  healthcare expansion plan for tens of thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS. READ FACTSHEET

HIV/AIDS Lobby Days is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chicago Department of Public Health, Carolyn Grisko & Associates, C&M Pharmacy, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer Inc. Our thanks to them for making this important event possible.

Read About Lobby Day Award Recipients


RELATED RESOURCES

Policy Priorities

Action Alert on Voluntary Testing

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