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202.835.8373 Fax: 202.835.8368
Program and Administrative Office
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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. |
| BREAKING NEWS |
FHAAN Awarded ADAP Grassroots Campaign of the Year
Our FHAAN "Grassroots Campaign for Florida ADAP Funding" has just been awarded the 2011-2012 ADAP Leadership Award for Grassroots Campaign of the Year by the ADAP Advocacy Association.
Click Here to Read Award Letter
Our thanks to each of you for your outstanding work these past 2 years to build such a strong and effective statewide network!
Thanks to you, we are well prepared for continued progress and success in the years to come.
Click Here to Read Press Release
The AIDS Institute (July 12, 2012) |
Advocacy Committee Report -
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act |
Articles Related the the US Supreme Court Decisions' Impact on Florida HIV/AIDS Patients and Prevention:
The AIDS Institute Reacts to Supreme Court Decision
Time Now for All Parties in Washington and in the States to Turn to Implementation
Click Here for The AIDS Institute's Press Release Click Here for PDF of US Supreme Court Opinion
(June 28, 2012)
States Already Taking Radically Different Approaches To Court Ruling
In the wake of the Supreme Court decision, states are facing two big tasks:
- Deciding whether to take federal money to expand Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for the poor and disabled. States are supposed to provide Medicaid to a far larger base - everyone with incomes up to 133 percent of the poverty level, or just under $15,000 a year for an individual.
- Deciding whether to implement their own health insurance exchange, a website to help eligible consumers shop for and purchase health plans, rely on the federal government to do it for them. The federal government will help pay for people to buy insurance on the exchange if their incomes are up to 400 percent of the poverty level.
This story is part of a reporting partnership that includes Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Capital Public Radio, KUHF, and Kaiser Health News (July 02, 2012)
Where Florida Stand On Implementing Health Care Law
NUMBER OF UNINSURED: 3.85 million Floridians are uninsured, or about 21%.
WHERE THE STATE STANDS: Republican Gov. Rick Scott ordered the state not to accept federal money for implementing the health care law after he took office last year. Florida has rejected or declined to pursue more than $106 million and has returned $4.5 million. The state has its own health insurance exchanges, mainly for small businesses but without an individual mandate. The state has not implemented an exchange that would meet the requirements of the federal law.
The Associated Press (June 28, 2012)
Court Upholds Health Law
Health News Florida via Washington Post (June 28, 2012)
Analysis of How Court's Decision will Affect ACA Implementation Avalere Health (June 28, 2012)
The Florida Current Articles (June 29, 2012)Court Ruling on Health Care Sets Stage for Policy/Funding Decisions Business Leaders Ready to Continue the Fight
McCollum: The Debate has Just Begun Jennifer Kates (July 02, 2012) ACA: After Court Decision, All Eyes on States MedPage Today News (July 3, 2012) Obama's 4 Major ACA Hurdles to Go Tom Daschle, Politico Opinion (July 8, 2012) Medicaid Expansion Health News Florida (June 28, 2012)
Opt-Out on Medicaid Would Have Odd Result
Health News Florida (June 29, 2012)
The Medicaid Expansion and People with HIV/AIDS
HIV Health Reform (July 2012) State Adoption of Key Medicaid ACA Options (including expansion) The Advisory Board Company (July 9, 2012)What Happens if a State Opts Out of Medicaid, in One Chart Washington Post (July 5, 2012)
Southern Governors Try to Gut Medicaid
Politico (July 10, 2012)
Wall Street Thinks States are Bluffing
Politico (July 10, 2012)
Kaiser Health News (July 11-13, 2012)
Excellent list of Reasons States Should Enact the Medicaid Expansion Illinois Example
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law (July 2012)
Health Exchanges
Florida Senator Joe Negron Explores Florida Health Exchange
Health News Florida via Palm Beach Post (July 6, 2012)
State Health Insurance Exchange Status Jennifer Kates, KFF (Monday, July 02, 2012)
Florida Governor
Florida/Scott Response to ACA Ruling on NPR
Health News Florida via PolitiFact (June 28, 2012)
HT Politics (June 28, 2012)
Health News Florida via Miami Herald (July 3, 2012)
Fact-Checking Rick Scott on the Health Care Law
PolitiFact (July 2, 2012)
No Winner in Scott's Stand Against ACA
floridatoday.com (July 3, 2012)
Scott on Health Exchange: No Again
News Service of Florida (July 9, 2012)
Lines Are Drawn Over Opting Out of Medicaid Plan New York Times (July 13, 2012)
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
Jesse Fry, jessefry@earthlink.net Rick Vitale, bigskyranch@hotmail.com
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Advocacy Committee Report -
Medicaid Managed Care |
FHAAN Member Education Program
FHAAN has implemented a Member Education Program on Medicaid Reform.
As part of this program, FHAAN leadership has invited AHCA Medicaid Managed Care Bureau Chief, Melanie Brown-Woofter, to Present to FHAAN during our August 6th full membership statewide webinar/call to help educate Medicaid patients about how to choose the managed care plan that's best for them. CMS Q&A on Essential Health Benefits and Expanded Medicaid A concise document that begins to explain how CMS will be addressing Essential Health Benefits for the expanded Medicaid population, which is extremely important to us. Still many unknowns from both the states and the federal government. Carl Schmid, The AIDS Institute (May 31, 2012) 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 guidance statements to provide the public with clarification regarding program components. The statements are located at the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care website. Click on the "Guidance Statements" tab to view the documents. To learn more about this program, visit our website: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Medicaid Managed Care (June 22, 2012)
Miami Herald (June 18, 2012)
WellPoint to Vie for Florida Medicaid Patients
The nation's second-largest health insurer, which has largely ignored Florida until now, says it will buy Amerigroup, a significant player in Florida's Medicaid market. Meanwhile, independent pharmacies protest the loss of Amerigroup business to CVS.
Carol Gentry, Health News Florida (July 9, 2012) Florida can legally refuse the federal money to expand Medicaid, but an aide to Gov. Rick Scott told him he can't block the pay raises for primary-care physicians who treat the poor.
News Service of Florida (July 13, 2012)
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs: |
| Advocacy Committee Report -
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
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ADAP Waiting List
* Florida: 45 Individuals (3% of national total) * US: 1,958 individuals in nine (9) states NASTAD (July 13, 2012)
FHAAN hopes Florida will eliminate their ADAP wait list if it get anticipated funds this year. The Florida ADAP wait list will be fluctuating until we can take everyone off the list.
ADAP Program Going Out to Bid
The DOH ADAP program staff has confirmed that the RFP/ITN will be released soon to allow a non-DOH vendor to apply to provide ADAP services for the state of Florida. FHAAN Link will keep you posted on this issue.
The AIDS Institute/FHAAN (July 6, 2012)
Related Article:
AHCA Resets Bidding on Discount Drug Program
The Agency for Health Care Administration decided to reject all proposals for a discount drug program after the current vendor, EnvisionRxOptions, protested the agency's decision to switch to another company.
Travis Pillow, The Florida Current (06/21/2012)
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
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Advocacy Committee Report -
Department of Health Reorganization |
Florida Department of Health Announces New Section Administrator
Sherry Riley remains a DOH leader as Section Administrator of HIV/AIDS
TALLAHASSEE - Florida Department of Health's (DOH) Deputy Secretary for Health Dr. Steven Harris today announced Sherry Riley as Section Administrator of HIV/AIDS, effective immediately. Ms. Riley will work closely with public health officials and community representatives to design and implement effective HIV prevention programs, and will oversee policies, protocols and guidelines to ensure compliance with legal requirements related to confidentiality, testing, reporting and disclosure.
"Sherry Riley has the experience and skills that we need to move our HIV/AIDS Section forward," said Dr. Harris. "I am delighted that she is continuing to serve in our reorganized Department of Health."
Sherry Riley has been the Interim Chief for the Bureau of HIV/AIDS since March 2012. She began her career with the State of Florida in 1988, in the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Ms. Riley has been with the Bureau of HIV/AIDS for over 20 years. She has a comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS in Florida and the programs and services provided by the program. Over the last 10 years, Ms. Riley has served as the Program Administrator of the Operations and Management section of the Bureau, overseeing grant management, contract administration, quality improvement, as well as legal, legislative and policy issues.
DOH created the Bureau of Communicable Diseases within the new Division of Disease Control and Health Protection as a way to integrate and coordinate prevention, treatment, surveillance, disease investigation, public education, training of healthcare professionals, expert consultations and immunizations services. The HIV/AIDS Section is part of this new bureau.
The Florida Department of Health's mission is to protect and promote the health of all residents and visitors in the state through organized state and community efforts, including cooperative agreements with counties. For more information, visit the Bureau of HIV/AIDS website.
Jessica Hammonds, FL DOH, 850-245-4111 (June 22, 2012)
Daniel Parker's Departure DOH Farewell Cites 'Ideologues'
Christine Jordan Sexton, Health News Florida (June 18, 2012)
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
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| Structure Committee Report | 
FHAAN Operating Documents
FHAAN Communications
As a service of FHAAN, The AIDS Institute has created tools to enhance network communications: |
| Recruitment Committee Report | Voting Members
Actual: 283
General Members
Actual: 1,295 2012 Goal: 1,500
This committee meets every other month, on odd numbered months
(Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov). For more information, please contact committee co-chairs: Cathy Robinson-Pickett, hiveducation@aol.com Ken Bargar, rw2001president@aol.com |
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Network Meetings | Recent Meeting Notes (drafts):
Upcoming Meetings: (with registration links)
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Recent Events |
Congressman Deutch Remembers AIDS Victims on 25th Anniversary of AIDS Memorial Quilt
(Washington, DC) Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL) released the following statement after attending the display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt on the National Mall in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of its creation:
"The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a powerful reminder that behind the devastating statistics of AIDS-related deaths are the memories of real Americans -- loved by their families, partners, friends, and neighbors -- lost to this epidemic. Created 25 years ago, this living memorial implores us to ensure that we never allow indifference to the deaths of so many of our fellow citizens stop us from taking action against such a devastating public health crisis.
"The 8,000 panels displayed on the National Mall are just a fraction of a quilt that is now 50 miles long and unfortunately continues to grow as more lives are lost to AIDS. As we implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, it is my hope that our local, state, and federal governments work together to take advantage of its many tools, from Medicaid expansion to free preventative health care, that will help those affected by HIV/AIDS access treatment and lead healthy, long lives." Ashley Mushnick, 202-225-3001 (June 29, 2012) |
Upcoming Events
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Florida Congressman Hastings Introduces Resolution Recognizing 2012 International AIDS Conference
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) announced the introduction of H.Res. 713, expressing support for the XIX International AIDS conference (AIDS 2012) and the goal of bringing renewed awareness of, and commitment to, addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States and abroad. AIDS 2012 will take place from July 22, 2012, through July 27, 2012, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS), AIDS 2012 is expected to convene more than 20,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries, including 2,000 journalists.
(June 29, 2012)
Keeping With the Pace 2012: An HIV/AIDS Update
Wednesday, August 8th, 2012 (12:30 PM - 4:45 PM)
Check-in for on-site participants begins at Noon
Reitz Union, University of Florida, Gainesville - or online via web video conferencing
Click Here to Register Now!
Topics include:1. HIV in Florida
2. Clinical Management of HIV in Adolescents
3. Motivational Interviewing
4. HIV Prevention Behind Bars
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Informational
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Data at a Glance Now on the Web
I am pleased to share with you the latest edition of Data at a Glance. This issue spotlights our Minority AIDS Initiative program which funds successful ARTAS (Antiretroviral Treatment and Access to Services) projects in the high-prevalence counties. This program has been very successful in linking HIV-infected clients to care. Enjoy and please share with others in your area.
Marlene Lalota (July 2, 2012)
FL High Impact Prevention RFA Posted
Our high-impact prevention funding opportunity for community-based organizations is now posted at the link above. Please share widely. The RFA is now posted on the website.
Marlene LaLota (July 5, 2012)
Updated Stats and Monthly Surveillance Report
Florida DOH (June 2012)
Monthly Surveillance Data to date for Florida: January - June, 2012
Lorene Maddox (July 2, 2012)
Current HIV Infection data reflects any case meeting the CDC definition of "HIV infection" which includes all newly reported HIV cases and newly reported AIDS cases with no previous report of HIV. Previous reports of HIV data reflected only newly reported HIV cases, which were HIV (not AIDS) at the time of report. Newly reported HIV Infection cases do not imply they are all newly diagnosed cases.
For a more detailed explanation on changes in reporting and changes in trends, please contact the Bureau of HIV/AIDS, Data Analysis Section.
HIV Infection Data, Florida:
January through 06/30/10 2468
January through 06/30/11 2840 (15% increase)
January through 06/30/12 2742 ( 9% decrease )
AIDS, Florida:
January through 06/30/10 1670
January through 06/30/11 1725 ( 3% increase)
January through 06/30/12 1365 (21% decrease)
(P.S. HIV and AIDS data are NOT mutually exclusive; do not try to add them together, as you will get some duplicate counts.)
YTD HIV babies known to have been born to HIV-infected mothers in Florida, JANUARY through 06/30/12, by Year of Birth (unduplicated)
January through 06/30/10 284
January through 06/30/11 247
January through 06/30/12 207
Babies known to have been born to HIV-infected mothers in Florida, 11/20/06-06/30/12, By Year of Birth (unduplicated)
2006 87
2007 672 (670 on 06/30/10, extras = Vital Stats Match)
2008 628 (616 on 06/30/10, extras = Vital Stats Match)
2009 622 (573 on 06/30/11, extras = Vital Stats Match)
2010 574
2011 542
2012 Jan thru 06/30/12 207
There were 3 infected peds for 2011: 1 from Lee, 1 from Orange, 1 from Miami-Dade.
There is a 2012 infected birth from Palm Beach County
Click on these linked titles for detailed reports:
Mapping Pathways Community Perspectives on PrEP - Webinar Slides
To Access the Webinar Slides:
1. Go to http://aidsunited.org/
2. Under the "Policy & Advocacy Tab," click on "Resources."
3. Click on "Presentations."
4. Click on "Mapping Pathways Community Perspectives on PrEP."
Tran Doan, AIDS United (June 20, 2012)
Many AIDS Cases, Few HIV Specialists in South
USATODAY.com (June 15, 2012)
Criminalization Survey
The SERO Project has undertaken a survey of people with or affected by HIV concerning their attitudes about criminalization of HIV non-disclosure, potential exposure or transmission. It would be very helpful if you could forward the link to your clients, e-lists, social media, etc. to encourage participation.
The principal investigator is Laurel Sprague, at Eastern Michigan University. Laurel is a woman with HIV who is also the North American regional coordinator of the Global Network of People Living With HIV (GNP+). She's a great advocate and has extensive expertise in survey research. She's also been a consultant on the development and implementation of the GNP+ Stigma Index.
They want to get a large enough response to have statistically meaningful numbers of key populations including women, transpersons, people who use drugs, migrants, sex workers and those engaged in survival sex, as well as everyone else. The survey is open to people with HIV as well as those who are HIV negative or don't know their HIV status.
They hope to release preliminary results at the Int'l AIDS Conference in Washington. Results will be posted at www.seroproject.com and emailed to anyone who signs up for the SERO Project's e-list at www.seroproject.com.
Here's the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HIVandtheCriminalLaw
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FHAAN Member Spotlight
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David Brakebill
 David moved to Key West, Florida in 2002 from the San Francisco Bay Area. As a person living with HIV, he quickly became involved with his local Ryan White Part B Consortia and shortly thereafter was named its Patient Care Co-chair. But his involvement didn't stop there. He began attending statewide Florida Community Planning Group meetings, learning the ropes of how things worked at the state and national levels, and soon was chosen as a Patient Care Planning Group member, which he has served on since 2006, serving as its community co-chair from 2009-2011. He was named Client Liaison to the Board of Directors of AIDS Help, Inc. in 2004, and served until 2007. He also served on that organizations fundraising committee for a number of years, including two years as its chair. He currently is a member of the Florida ADAP Workgroup, the Florida Community Advisory Group, the Florida Allocation Methodology Workgroup and his local Part C Consumer Advisory Board.
Additionally, he has been a frequent participant in many national conferences, such as The United States Conference on AIDS, Staying Alive and The ADAP Advocacy Associations Annual Conferences, as well as a regular attendee at AIDSWatch in Washington, DC. After being fortunate enough to have attended the International AIDS Conference(IAC) in Mexico City in 2008, he is looking forward to this year's IAC in Washington, D.C. He has been an advocate for the expansion of services including urging the state to expand its HOPWA program to tenant-based rental assistance(TBRA) from short-term rental, mortgage and utility (STRMU) assistance ONLY and spurred his local AIDS service organization to "test the waters" of the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Program (PCIP) and has, at every opportunity, urged the state to take a hard look at it as an alternative to help solve the ADAP crisis in Florida, and is happy to report that it is currently under study. Perhaps his proudest achievement was being presented with Florida's HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon Excellence "Unsung Hero" award by the Bureau of HIV/AIDS and The AIDS Institute in April of 2009 at the annual Ryan White Conference in Orlando. Says David, "Nothing is more gratifying than to be recognized for one's hard work and dedication to a cause so important to so many people in Florida. I was truly honored to be selected from amongst my peers because so many of us do this work day in and day out without a second thought. We do it because it's the right thing to do." |
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Chair Spotlight
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Rick VitaleCo-Chair, Advocacy Committee
Rick is currently a Health Educator at the Jackson County Health Department Originally from upstate New Jersey, I have been living in the great state of Florida for thirty five (35) years. After 1 year at Fairleigh Dickenson and then and finishing up at St Mary's Seminary I moved to Fort Lauderdale. Upon arrival to the land of sun and fun, I first worked as a bartender and later landed a job with one of the largest independent record companies in the nation. I have in my past promoted and worked with some very big stars of the recording industry and have been told that I helped mold and influence the sound of that era and as we know it today called "Dance Music". I decide to leave the fast pace industry and to explore the avenue I was educated for and as my close friends said "grew up" to become a social worker. My first few years I worked in geriatrics, then the HIV epidemic, known as GRID at that time, started hitting large cities and of course the gay population. I was later diagnosed and was told I had 18 months to live. I was told to quit my job and sign up for disability. Many of my dear friends and familiar faces began to disappear. My thoughts then and still are today of those many faces long gone. Rather than sitting waiting to die, I decide that you cannot hit a moving target. I began to volunteer and helping wherever I could. At that time we were all we had so I began sitting with people, making dinners and taking friends to the doctors, whatever it took to keep hope alive. Life as I knew not only changed but started to disappear. Feeling like I was the only one left it was time to change my surroundings. I began to explore my possibilities and decided to move so I bought the farm, literally not figuratively. The day I was packing, my best friend and longtime side kick passed way. He asked me not to give up and to please continue fighting. I promised. Moving to the Panhandle, was needless to say an eye opener. My nearest neighbor was a mile away and the nearest town Panama City 36 miles down the road. Much to my surprise I discovered a small AIDS Service Organization called BASIC. I began to volunteer answering phones. Butch McKay was the head case manager and asked if I wanted a full time job. At first I was reluctant and realized this is where I was supposed to be. The world of HIV care started to change becoming organized not only in large cities but everywhere. Ryan White Act was introduced and passed, allowing funding to begin. Florida adopted Project AIDS Care. AIDS Insurance Continuation Program allowed people to maintain much need health care. Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS kept people from losing their dwellings. What was different about BASIC is that it did not just offer all of the above, but also provided additional supportive services as well. "One Stop Shopping" all under one roof. We as a staff where trained in all aspects of programs. Compassion is not a training and you felt this with whomever you made contact with. During my sixteen years at BASIC, I have volunteered from food banks to fund raisers and I have been part of various committees and presided over our local consortium. I have been and currently co-chair the Technical Advisory Committee for AICP since its inception. Working with Jesse Fry and Butch McKay I have been dragged around the state to present ACTIVATE U programs. I since left BASIC and for the last four years currently work for the Jackson County Health Department as ADAP Coordinator and Health Educator/PTC. This is the very same clinic that I helped start the rural HIV clinic twenty years ago. I currently co-chair the advocacy committee with FHAAN . This list can go on and on. Thirty (30) years can turn into a book of memories but never replace the friends and loved ones we have lost. BTW every year I send a Christmas card to the doctor who told me I have only 18 months to live.  For more information, please visit: www.FHAAN.org
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What is the Florida HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network?
| 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.
For more information, please visit our webpage at: www.FHAAN.org.
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Support Our Work | |
Help support the advoacy and education work of FHAAN. Donations can be made easily and securely by any of these 3 ways:
2. Online by clicking on this button:  3. Mail your check payable to "The AIDS Institute"
17 Davis Boulevard, Suite 403
Tampa, Florida 33606
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Newsletter Feedback
| Please let us know what you think of our newsletter.
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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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