News

News: Advocacy

My voice represents millions more

January 11, 2018

By Will Wilson Longtime HIV advocate and Chicago resident Will Wilson was invited to share his first-person account of using Medicaid and Affordable Care Act services to the people in charge of nationwide Medicare and Medicaid services.  It was cold, dark, and I was up way earlier than normal. Still, I was excited. I was heading to Washington D.C. to share my story with Calder...
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2017 Policy and Legislative Victories

January 3, 2018

By Raven Feagins As advocates, we work hard to ensure the rights of our communities are protected. Despite the whirlwind that was 2017 (a.k.a. the year that made me question my faith in humanity), together we did have some wins.  Below are six major victories we've achieved this year. 1. The ACA is still the law! One of the biggest challenges this year has...
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Can equitable access to employment end the HIV epidemic?

December 18, 2017

By Raven Feagins Imagine a world where the people from communities most affected by HIV are leading the HIV workforce to end the epidemic. That’s the world Anthony Betori, Youth Program Manager at Chicago House and Social Service Agency, is striving to create with their new Community Health Apprenticeship program (CHAP). This 8-week training helps committed young people get their...
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5 things you didn’t know about aging with HIV

November 17, 2017

Thirty years ago, getting into your 50s or 60s – let alone 70s or 80s – wasn’t seen as possible for people living with HIV. Thanks to powerful HIV medications, people with the virus are living longer and longer. That doesn’t make the aging process any easier, though — in some ways, aging with HIV is different than for people who are HIV-negative. Recently,...
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Stonewall Strong (excerpt) By John-Manuel Andriote

November 8, 2017

This post is an excerpt from John-Manual Andriote’s recently published book Stonewall Strong: Gay Men’s Heroic Fight for Resilience, Good Health, and a Strong Community . The walls of Jim Pickett’s office at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago display the set of posters created for a new campaign aimed at promoting PrEP use by the gay men and women, including transgender...
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How your clinic can resist unlawful ICE activity

November 1, 2017

Edited by Ashley Slupski Adapted from the National Immigration Law Center Hospitals, clinic and other health care settings have a role to play in protecting undocumented communities.  Here’s what health care administrators should do to provide the best environment to protect the rights of patients and providers: Establish a written policy designating...
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AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Legal Council for Health Justice Statement on Medicaid Hepatitis C Treatment Restrictions

October 24, 2017

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and Legal Council for Health Justice (LCHJ) are appalled to learn the state of Illinois was given a “D-” grade in the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable and the Center for Health Law Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School’s interactive report grading the nation’s Medicaid programs on their access to treatments for hepatitis...
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2,500 health equity advocates band together to raise $480K (and rising) at AIDS Run & Walk Chicago

October 5, 2017

The 16th annual AIDS Run & Walk Chicago united runners, walkers, community organizations and local celebrities on Sunday, Oct. 1 at Soldier Field to raise awareness for the continued HIV epidemic and funds totaling $480,000 and growing. Beyond fundraising, AIDS Run & Walk Chicago serves as a memorial for loved ones lost to complications of HIV and AIDS. “For so many of us,...
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Providers Unite: Protect the Undocumented Community

October 5, 2017

Edited by Ashley Slupski Adapted from the National Immigration Law Center The increased threat of deportation causes many immigrants to go without necessary medical services. Here’s how health care providers can protect undocumented patients according to the law: Want more information? Visit National Immigration Law Center’s hub for health care providers ....
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ViiV Healthcare and AFC partner to improve women’s health

October 2, 2017

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is pleased to announce that we were recently awarded a grant from ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action for Women (PAFW) initiative. Continuing our dedication to supporting cisgender and transgender women of color, AFC will be partnering with Chicago Women’s AIDS Project, Affinity Community Services, Stroger Hospital and other Chicago leaders to develop...
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