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2000 S Street, NW
3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20009
202.835.8373 Fax: 202.835.8368
Program and Administrative Office
17 Davis Boulevard
Suite 403 Tampa, FL 33606
813.258.5929 Fax: 813.258.5939
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Greetings!
Welcome to your monthly newsletter on the Florida HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network (FHAAN). We encourage you to read further and learn more about The AIDS Institute's FHAAN program, services and resources. |
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What is the Florida HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network?
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 The AIDS Institute's Florida HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network (FHAAN), is the statewide effort composed of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA's), community advocates, HIV/AIDS staff and industry professionals, as well as anyone wanting to be involved with coordinating advocacy efforts for all Floridians living with HIV and AIDS.
FHAAN's mission is to advocate for statewide HIV/AIDS resources including education, policies, programs, funding and legislation.
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Network Meetings
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| Advocacy Committee Report -
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
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ADAP Waiting List (as of May 17, 2012):
* Florida: 597 Individuals (23% of national total) * US: 2,552 individuals in ten (10) states We hope to eliminate the Florida wait list if we get anticipated funds this year. ADAP Wait list will be fluctuating until we can take everyone off the list. FHAAN Thank You Letter to Governor for ADAP Funding
April 27, 2012 Thank you for approving an increase of $2.5 million of Florida's AIDS Drug Assistance Program, popularly known as ADAP. Your authorization of the ADAP budget increase from general revenue shows remarkable leadership in the ongoing fight against HIV and AIDS in our state. Click Here to Read Entire Letter The AIDS Institute Press Release on Florida ADAP Funding 
The AIDS Institute Praises Florida Governor Rick Scott and Legislature for Increased Funding to AIDS Drug Assistance Program. 
Will Help Alleviate Long Wait List to Receive Medications.
Click Here to read full press release
ADAP Program Out to Bid There is currently some discussion about using a vendor outside the Bureau of HIV/AIDS to handle the ADAP program. This bid process is still being worked on and being routed internally for approval. It is anticipated that April-June will be the procurement period and July-Sept for awarding the contract, with an October 1st start date.
FHAAN Concern: Ensuring that the new vendor understands client issues and improves client access.
FHAAN Action: FHAAN leadership is developing an objective public policy survey to be conducted widely asking what our community and patients want to see out of the program. Also discussions are under way with the Division of Management Services to determine if information will be coming out soon and a mechanism for FHAAN members to provide input, and also looking to the Bureau for a public comment period for our community to give input.
We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
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Advocacy Committee Report -
Department of Health Reorganization
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Governor Signs DOH Reorganization into Law
Over the objections of Florida public health officials and environmentalists, Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed HB 1263 into law.
The Department of Health "reorganization" bill streamlines the state's largest health care agency and also eliminates a statewide septic tank mandate passed by the Florida Legislature in 2010. Naples Republican Rep. Matt Hudson championed the reorganization bill.
Article at: http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=27487405
The Current, Christine Jordan Sexton, 04/27/2012 - 02:12 PM
Related Articles:
New Department of Health secretary now on board
Article at: http://www.thefloridacurrent.com/article.cfm?id=27500139
The Current, Christine Jordan Sexton, 04/27/2012 - 06:37 PM
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
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Advocacy Committee Report -
Medicaid Reform
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Florida's Medicaid reform efforts continue. While every advisory panel meeting suggests they are gearing up for Medicaid, nothing has been finalized yet.
FHAAN Co-Chair Joey Wynn has been working with Dade and Broward Counties on their new HIV plan, and they are moving full speed ahead.
They may be streamlining the enrollment program.
HRSA language suggests implications for Part C & D.
Mandatory Enrollment
HS bill 5301 will put HIV patients who don't choose a plan on their own
Mandatory enrollment category. Note that the mandatory enrollment period does not go into effect until CMS implements. Ideally, the ITN (Invitation to Negotiate) will come out by December 15, 2012, or as late as January 1, 2013.
Mandatory enrollment is not necessarily a bad thing. Those that don't make a choice, get enrolled into regular plans, so specifically getting enrolled into an HIV plan.
Knowing Your Options
Knowing your options is very important among HIV patients.
Medicaid Public Comment Period, announced after CMS will be June-July 2012. FHAAN Co-Chair Jesse Fry will notify all FHAAN members when it comes out.
To sign up for Medicaid reform specific announcements, use following links:
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care
Updated Information Now Available Online
Additional information has been posted regarding the SMMC program.
From time to time during program development and implementation, the Agency will post additional frequently asked questions (FAQs). Updated FAQs have been posted relating to the SMMC Long-term Care program.
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| Structure Committee Report | FHAAN Oprerating Documents
FHAAN Communications
As a service of FHAAN, The AIDS Institute has created tools to enhance network communications: |
| Recruitment Committee Report | Full Members
Actual: 283
Listserv Contacts
Actual: 1,299 |
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Recent Events
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Oral PrEP: Status of Science and Implementation
Link to the webinar recording, held on Thursday, April 26th at 10:00 a.m.
Streaming recording link (recommended), or Download recording link.
To view the downloaded WebEx recording, you must first download the free ARF player via this link: http://www.webex.com/play-webex-recording.html.
Ryan White Program Reauthorization Page Launched
The HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that on Wednesday, May 2 the Ryan White Program reauthorization page on the HAB website was launched.
Stakeholders, including grantees and community advocates can link to this page from HAB's main site and offer comments on reauthorization of the Ryan White Program. The comment period is open until July 31st 2012.
Also announced on the page are upcoming regional listening sessions, which will provide additional opportunities for stakeholder input on the 2013 reauthorization of Ryan White.
Please click on the following link to view the page: http://hab.hrsa.gov/reauthorization.
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Upcoming Events
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HIV/AIDS 2012: THE SOCIAL WORK RESPONSE
The 24th Annual National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS
Hotel InterContinental Miami - May 24-27, 2012
Conference Begins at 5:30 PM on Thursday, May 24 and Concludes at 1:00 PM on Sunday, May 27
THEME: "LINKING POLICY AND PRACTICE: IMPLICATIONS FOR HIV SOCIAL WORK"
Memorial Day Pensacola Beach MSM Prevention Meeting
Prevention meeting with community partners. As usual, we anticipate the tens of thousands of LBGT visitors to our beaches this holiday and have plans in the works for healthy HIV awareness, testing, and education. Hope many of you can join us on our Emerald Coast.
Learn more by contacting James Talley at: jaxtalley@gmail.com
- James Talley, FHAAN Structure Committee's North Florida Chair
BTAN South Florida
Black Treatment Advocates Network
(Application Deadline: Friday, June 8th) - Science and Treatment: June 27th-29th
- Community Mobilization: August 8th-10th
If you are interested in joining the network, fill out the attached application and return it by email to BTAN's Training & Capacity Building Coordinator, Njideka Obijiaku, at NjidekaO@BlackAIDS.org. If you have any questions about the training please contact Njideka at 213-353-3610 extension 120.
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Informational
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AICP Special Services Policy Update - Reminder
Dear AICP CBO,
Please be reminded that beginning July 1, 2012 all Special Services Clients will be limited to co-payment assistance for ADAP formulary drugs only as per the AICP Special Services Policy Update of January 20, 2012
This policy change will specifically impact those Special Services Clients who are currently using co-payment assistance for non-ADAP formulary medications and/or medical co-payments. If you have not done so already, you may wish to remind those clients who will be impacted by this policy change before the July 1, 2012 effective date.
Thanks for your support of AICP and if you have any questions, please contact Ms. Francia Alcala at 305-592-1452 ext 111.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Sandrock, Jr.
UM Miller School of Medicine wins AIDS research award
By JULIE BROWN, Miami Herald, May 17, 2012
Health Care Reform in Your State Making it Work for People with HIV
State HCR Implementation Webinar Slides 4-26 (PDF)
Watch the video recording
If health law goes, so does 'uninsurable' coverage
The health-reform law brought a lifeline to about 62,000 patients with the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. But they will lose that coverage if the Supreme Court strikes down the law.
05/18/12 © Associated Press
State officials hate law, but plan for it
http://bit.ly/JDPt6N
May 16, 2012 Our Health Policy Matters (blog)
Health centers to get $21M
Health News Florida, May 3, 2012
Monthly Medicaid limits on Number of Drugs per Patient
See the following link for the chart on the Kaiser website tells you the states with prescription drug limits.
http://bit.ly/JCLXv9
by Kaiser Family Foundation, October 2010
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Monthly Poll
| Click on this button to take this Month's FHAAN Poll:
How much did the Florida Legislature and Governor include in this year's budget for ADAP?
Results from Last Month's Poll:
WiIl the US Supreme Court Uphold the Health Reform Law?
Yes, entire law will be constitutional: 60%
Yes, but not the individual mandate: 20% Yes, but not the Medicaid expansion: 0% Yes, but not the individual mandate nor Medicaid expansion: 0%
No, entire law will be struck down as unconstitutional: 20%
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FHAAN Member Spotlight
| Butch McKay
Executive Director
Okaloosa AIDS Support and Informational Services (OASIS), Inc.
 | | Butch McKay |
As OASIS' Executive Director, Butch is responsible for supervising the staff and volunteers, writing grants, overseeing and negotiate contracts, developing educational programs, supervising case management and prevention grants, HIV test site, and chairing the Positive Living Conference Series.
From 1992 to 1996, Butch was Director of Education and Case Manager Supervisor with Bay AIDS Services and Informational Coalition, Inc. in Panama City, Florida. Between 1989 and 1992, Butch served on volunteer staffs of Birmingham AIDS Outreach and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 1917 AIDS Research Center.
Additional HIV/AIDS related work for Butch includes: Volunteer with the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, Founder and Chair of the Positive Living HIV Conference Series, Member of UAB ACTG CAB, and Member of UAB HVTN/Microbicides CAB. Butch received the Octavio Valente, Jr. Volunteer Service Award in 2008 for outstanding commitment to HIV vaccine research, and helped author the Participants Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for vaccine participants. Butch has also been a member of the HVTN Global Community Advisory Board, member and past co-chair of Ethics Working Group of the GCAB at HVTN, member of original DAIDS Cross CAB Working Group and now the Community Partner's Group, HVTN Scientific Steering Committee, DAIDS Cross CAB Training Group, member and and Chair of Community Partners Ethics Working Group, member of Florida ADAP Working Group for 10 years, member of Microbicides Trails Network Community Working Group, Board of Directors for the Southern AIDS Coalition, and Past Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Southeast Regional Gay Men's Health Summit.
Butch has received numerous awards, including the Florida HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon Award of Excellence for Highest Achievement in 2007, honored by the Blue Foundation for A Healthy Florida with an Award of Distinction at their annual Sapphire Awards banquet in Orlando Florida in February, 2010, the Compassionate Host Award by the attendees of Positive Living 14 Conference, and the Leadership Award for AIDS Drug Assistance Program Grassroots Campaign of the Year at the annual ADAP Advocacy Association Meeting in Washington, DC July, 2011.
Butch attended the Presidential Reception on HIV/AIDS in July, 2010 at the invitation of President Obama, and served on Planning Committee for the White House Summit on HIV and Aging in 2010.
Butch is a graduate of Auburn University, with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, majoring in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. Butch also completed graduate work in Special Education Learning Disabilities at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 
For more information about OASIS, please visit: |
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Chair Spotlight
| | Alelia Munroe, MPH
FHAAN Structure Committee
Chair, Central Florida and Metropolitan Areas
Alelia Munroe, MPH, a native of the Caribbean Island Jamaica, received her BA degree from Emmanuel College (1975) and a MPH from Boston University (1983). Ms. Munroe was the Operations Manager for Dimock Community Health Center's (DCHC) Comprehensive Substance Abuse Treatment Program for over nine years, where she was instrumental in developing treatment programs for clients of color with chemical dependency (both alcohol and other drugs). She was responsible for establishing the first HIV Anonymous Counseling and Testing Site associated with a substance abuse treatment program in Boston, MA. Ms. Munroe began her career in the HIV field during the remaining two years of her tenure with DCHC where she was the Director of HIV Services. She provided program development and planning for a comprehensive array of services for individuals infected with HIV, including: primary medical care, case management, health education and risk reduction, counseling and testing, and housing.
Ms. Munroe sero-converted in October 1993 and migrated to Orlando, FL in October of 1998 when the cold climate got to be a bit much. In 2000, she accepted the position of Program Manager of the HUG-Me program, the Ryan White Part D (Title IV) project for Central Florida. Under her direction HUG-Me, a unit of the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, has become the provider of the most comprehensive array of services to individuals infected with HIV and their families. She continued her tenure as the Program Manager of the HUG-Me program following the program's transition to the Orange County Health Department (OCHD) in October 2009. She is the Immediate-past President of the Board of the AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families. She has also served as a member of the Board of the National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council, a Vice President of the Florida Black AIDS Network, a Past Chair of the Orlando EMA HIV Health Services Planning Council, a Past Chair of the Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA) Advisory Board of the Orlando EMA, an executive board member of the Central Florida AIDS Planning Consortium, a member of the Florida Statewide Consumer Advisory Group and the President of the Board of Directors of Miracle of Love, Inc. She has been living with HIV for the past nineteen years.
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Industry Partner Spotlight
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Commcare Pharmacyhttp://commcarepharmacy.com/
Ashley Johnson
Specialty Pharmacy Representative
As a Specialty Pharmacy Representative for Commcare Pharmacy, I assist patients in obtaining their medications and reduce the burden to the office staff by helping with financial assistance. My job is to help eliminate barriers the patient may have; whether it is lowering their co-pays, home delivery of their medications, improving patient compliance, or making a home visit to assist with their paperwork. I'm also involved within the community and enjoy taking part in many events as well as assisting ASO's and CBO's when needed. I spend a good deal of my time assisting nurses, case managers, and office staff by reducing the burden of tedious paperwork; such as prior authorizations the insurance requires. It gives me great pleasure to be able to interact with patients on a daily basis; and learning what a huge impact my role has made on their lives.
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Newsletter Feedback
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Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your contacts.
Sincerely, 
Michael Ruppal, Executive Director The AIDS Institute |
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