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202.835.8373 Fax: 202.835.8368
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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. |
| COVER STORY |
FHAAN Leadership Elections - 2012
We are now accepting nominations for our 2012-2014 Co-Chair position. Nominations will be open through Monday August 20th at 5pm ET.
Jesse Fry remains as our Co-Chair for the 2011-2013 term. Co-Chair Joey Wynn's 2010-2012 term has concluded, though he has accepted a nomination to be included on the ballot for another two-year term.
We are also accepting nominations for chairs for any of our three (3) FHAAN Committees: Advocacy, Structure, and Recruitment. Click here for descriptions of these committees.
Only Full FHAAN Members can nominate and vote. If you are unsure if you a full member, please email us to ask at FHAAN@theaidsinstitute.org.
If you know you are not a full member, you can join now by Clicking Here.
Nominator:
- Email their name and contact information to us by 5pm (ET) Monday August 20, 2012 at FHAAN@TheAIDSInstitute.org, and cc the person you are nominating.
- Self-Nominations are accepted.
Nominees:
- Must accept your nomination with an email to us by 5pm (ET) Monday August 20, 2012 at FHAAN@TheAIDSInstitute.org, and cc the person who nominated you.
- Must include a brief bio in your email stating your qualifications and your vision for FHAAN (this will be included in our ballot survey).
On Tuesday August 21st you will receive an emailed online survey to cast your vote by Friday August 31, 2012 by 5pm (ET).
Election results will be announced at our TUESDAY September 4th 2pm (ET) Monthly Statewide FHAAN webinar/call.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
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Advocacy Committee Report -
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act |
Image below is a brief overview of state commitments, rejection, and uncertainty to Medicaid expansion as of July 11th 2012.
Presently: Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Nebraska, and Iowa have declined participation - 32 states remain uncommitted.
 NMAC (August 8, 2012)
Medicaid Coalition Resources:
Secretary Sebelius's letter to the Governors on the impact of the Supreme Court decision. The Center on Budget's paper on why the expansion is a good deal for states. NHeLP's 10 steps for state advocacy supporting the expansion.
FamiliesUSA.org (July 13, 2012)
Related Articles
At Annual Meeting, U.S. Governors Come Out Swinging Over Medicaid Reuters (July 14, 2012)
Health Exchange by Another Name: Marco Rubio's 'Marketplace'
Tampa Bay Times (July 16, 2012)
Advocates for Hospitals and the Poor Push Back
Palm Beach Post (July 18, 2012)
Medicaid Expansion May Lower Death Rates
New York Times (July 25, 2012)
Some AIDS Experts View Health Law Coverage Expansion with Hope
Kaiser Health News (July 30, 2012)
GAO Report Update on State's Implementation of ACA
GOA (August 1, 2012)
Medicaid Expansion List of Resources
Harvard Law School Center for Health Law & Policy Innovation (August 1, 2012)
Medicaid: Life & Death Politics?
Health News Florida (August 1, 2012)
Governors Aside, Feds Building Health Care Markets
Miami Herald (August 6, 2012)
Sarasota Schools Get $800,000 Health Insurance Rebate
Sarasota schools got a whopping check and 15 health centers in the state will share $9 million, thanks to "ObamaCare."
Sarasota Herald-Tribune (August 6, 2012)
FL Decision on Exchange Shifts Power to Feds
States like Florida that aren't planning to run their own health exchange are giving up a lot of their traditional authority over insurance to the federal government, a Republican insurance commissioner warns.
Associated Press (August 7, 2012)
Florida Could Be Bellwether for Medicaid Expansion
Consumer health advocates worry that deals may be cut in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on national health care reform that could make the Medicaid system in Florida more complicated for many low-income patients.
Florida Current (August 7, 2012)
Embrace, Medicaid, Gov. Scott
PNJ.com (August 9, 2012)
Groups Ask Scott to Hold Benefit Hearings
Supporters of the Affordable Care Act say they want hearings on the issue of which health benefits should be covered on insurance policies.
Health News Florida (August 10, 2012)
State Economists Punt on Affordable Care Act
Economists expect Florida's share of covering more uninsured residents could increase by $1 billion in eight years.
The Florida Current (August 14, 2012)
Scott's Forgoing Medicaid to Cover Poor Families is 'Immoral'
Health News Florida (August 14, 2012)
Moving Target: Cost of Medicaid
Economists trying to pin down the financial impact of the Affordable Care Act estimate costs will go up even if the state doesn't expand Medicaid. Meanwhile, some Floridians who aren't poor enough to get Medicaid had hoped they would get coverage with the health law, but the state led the fight against it at a $70,000-cost to taxpayers, and won the ability to reject the expansion.
Palm Beach Post (August 15, 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 -
Ryan White Reauthorization
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HRSA Public Comments were due July 31. These comments are important for our grassroots input because Florida will not accept ACA's Medicaid expansion.
Our FHAAN Comments Topic Areas:
- Extend current legislation for at least three years
- Allocation flexibility and funding formula
- Access to Local Providers
- Access to Local Pharmacists
- HIV/AIDS Insurance Continuation
- HIV Drug Formularies
All comments are on HRSA Website
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
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Advocacy Committee Report -
Medicaid Managed Care
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FHAAN Member Education Program
FHAAN has implemented a Member Education Program on Medicaid Reform. Our goal is to educate Medicaid patients about how to choose the managed care plan that's best for them.
As part of this program, FHAAN's Statewide Meeting Guest Speaker was Melanie Brown-Woofter, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Health Systems Development at the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
Melanie began with an overview of her programs and responsibilities, followed by responding to participant questions.
The following are links to helpful resources received from Melanie after our call:
Information on the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Program (for 2014):
http://ahca.myflorida.com/Medicaid/statewide_mc/index.shtml
Information on Reform Choice Counseling (Broward, Duval, Clay, Baker and Nassau counties):
http://www.flmedicaidreform.com/
This link allows on line enrollment and gives information on plan benefit packages for comparison. This link also includes information on the "Navigator" which recipients can access when they call Choice Counseling that allows comparison of plan formularies (PDLs) to the medication the recipient currently uses. This tool is for Reform only at present.
Information on Medicaid Options (enrollment in Non Reform areas statewide):
http://www.medicaidoptions.net/
Includes information to compare managed care plans
Information Managed care Enrollment (both Reform and Non Reform):
http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Managed_Health_Care/MHMO/options.shtml
Please find linked here (FL AHCA RFI - 12-13.pdf) the RFI that Melanie Brown-Woofter mentioned during her presentation. Below is the link to the other ITN documents:
http://myflorida.com/apps/vbs/vbs_www.search_r1.matching_ads_page
Contact Information:
Melanie Brown-Woofter, Chief
Bureau of Health Systems Development
Agency for Health Care Administration
2727 Mahan Drive, Bldg. #3, M.S. 50
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
(850) 412-4028
melanie.brown-woofter@ahca.myflorida.com
Related Articles Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Updated Information Available Online Additional information has been posted regarding the Managed Medical Assistant component of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program.
To assist with planning, the Agency has requested a non-binding letter of intent from interested parties. Parties intending to submit a bid are asked to send a letter to the Agency by August 17, 2012. The letter should identify the company name and the region(s) for which the party intends to submit a response. Such a letter is completely voluntary and the decision not to submit a letter will have no effect on this or any other procurement. Letters should be sent via e-mail to FLMedicaidManagedCare@ahca.myflorida.com.
Plans interested in the letter of intent request can obtain more information by visiting the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care website and choosing the Managed Medicaid Assistance tab.
AHCA (August 7, 2012) 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. AHCA (August 13, 2012)
Medicaid Plan to Challenge State Rules on Long-Term Care
Florida's effort to steer elderly Medicaid patients into managed care is running into its first significant hurdle.
Health News Florida (August 7, 2012)
Florida, where Medicaid doctor pay is notoriously low, was near the bottom of the list in a CDC study.
Kaiser Health News (August 7, 2012)
The attorney general's Medicaid fraud unit has had offices only in Tallahassee until now, even though the worst problems lie at the other end of the state.
Florida Current (August 8, 2012)
Latest Medicaid Cut: Florida Leaders Coming Between Patients & Doctors
Last spring, legislative leaders pushed through several cuts to Medicaid benefits for adults, including capping "general physician" visits at two per month. What that exactly means was never defined, let alone legitimately analyzed or debated. In fact, the change wasn't even properly approved; it was simply buried in the State budget. The public still can't even find out what Florida told federal officials it means.
Last week, however, Medicaid finally explained the new rules to providers. Effective August 1st, no adult patient, no matter how sick, can have more than two visits TOTAL related to primary care, general practice, internal medicine, etc. in any month. Read Florida CHAIN's objections here.
Florida CHAIN (August 10, 2012)
Hospitals won't be reimbursed for care provided to many Medicaid patients after their sixth visit in one year, thanks to limits that went into effect Aug.
Palm Beach Post, Gainesville Sun (August 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 -
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
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ADAP Waiting List
* Florida: 31 Individuals (3% of national total)
* US: 1,125 individuals in seven (7) states
NASTAD (August 9, 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
ADAP and Related Services ITN Released
For your information, please find attached a copy of the ITN DOH11-080 that seeks to procure Eligibility Determination & Program Management application, Third-Party Liability (TPL), Medical Benefits Management (MBM) and Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) services for the Florida AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
The ITN is available in the Florida Vendor Bid System:
Click here for more information
Click here for PDF of ITN
Jimmy R. LLaque, ADAP Program Consultant/Contract Manager
HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis Program, Bureau of Communicable Diseases, FL DOH
(July 25, 2012)
Related Articles
HRSA Part B ADAP Emergency Relief Funding Awards
Florida Total Award: $4,575,960
HRSA.gov (July 20, 2012)
Cerabino: When the State Budget Gets Tight, Rockers Get Fundraising
"The waiting list is down to about 50 now," said Michael Ruppal, the executive director of The AIDS Institute. "And we're hoping to get it down to zero by the end of the summer."
Palm Beach Post (July 17, 2012)
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
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Advocacy Committee Report -
Department of Health Reorganization
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DOH Restructuring Brings New Names and Titles
As we have announced in previous issues, the Florida Department of Health has been going through a restructuring and alignment. What we used to know as the Bureau of HIV/AIDS is now part of a new bureau:
Division of Disease Control and Health Protection
Bureau of Communicable Diseases
HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Program
Prevention, Patient Care, Surveillance, Hepatitis, Operations & Management Sections
Sherry Riley is now in charge of the HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis programs for the Florida Department of Health. This is the position formally held by Tom Liberti. Sherry's new title is Administrator of the HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Program, Bureau of Communicable Diseases.
Jennifer Bencie replaces Rhonda White, who had been interim director since Julia Gill resigned in June.
The Florida Current (August 14, 2012)
DOH Veteran to Run Office of Performance and Quality Improvement
Rhonda White, a longtime Department of Health manager, has been tapped to be director of the Office of Performance and Quality Improvement. A 25-year DOH veteran, White most recently was acting director of the Division of Disease Control and Health Protection and has been chief of the Bureau of Preparedness and Response within the Division of Emergency Medical Operations.
"Rhonda's leadership and commitment to health have helped us succeed in reaching a variety of Department objectives," State Surgeon General John Armstrong said. "Her tenacity will propel our mission further as we reorganize our department and accomplish our goal of being the premiere public health entity in the nation."
The Florida Current (August 10, 2012)
Dr. Dennis V. Cookro, a USF faculty member who has recently been consulting to the Department of Health, will serve as interim deputy secretary.
DOH release (August 8, 2012)
Steven Harris leaves his post after nearly a year on the job, joining a parade of departures from the Department of Health.
The Florida Current (July 23, 2012)
DOH Appoints Chief of Staff Kim Barnhill has been appointed chief of staff of the Florida Department of Health, according to a Friday news release from DOH. She will start July 25. Prior to her promotion she was DOH's director of Statewide Services since 2000, providing management for all 67 county health departments in the state. The Florida Current (July 20, 2012)
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
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| Structure Committee Report | 
FHAAN Operating Documents FHAAN Organizational Structure FHAAN Membership Application FHAAN Operating Agreement FHAAN Committee Descriptions FHAAN About Us Sheet FHAAN Communications As a service of FHAAN, The AIDS Institute has created tools to enhance network communications: |
| Recruitment Committee Report | |
Voting Members
Actual: 285
2012 Goal: 500
To become a Full Member (voting/leadership): http://bit.ly/hE9GHZ
General Members
Actual: 1,299
2012 Goal: 1,500
Listserv: http://groups.google.com/group/FHAAN?hl=en
This committee meets every other month, on odd numbered months
(Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep).
For more information, please contact committee co-chairs:
Cathy Robinson-Pickett, hiveducation@aol.com
Ken Bargar, rw2001president@aol.com
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Recent Events
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AIDS 2012 - International AIDS Conference
OASIS Appears In International AIDS Conference Video
I'm proud of our little agency (OASIS) for being featured in the video shown at the opening of International AIDS Conference as the rural agency selected in US to be featured. Thought some of you might like to see it.
Butch McKay (August 9, 2012)
Some Pix from DC
Faces many will know.....
James Talley (July 31, 2012)
US Senator Bill Nelson Introduces AIDS 2012 Conference Resolution
Florida's United States Senator Bill Nelson introduced a bi-partisan resolution in the United States Senate to commemorate the 2012 International AIDS Conference.
The U.S. Senate passed this resolution.
Michael Emanuel Rajner, BSW (July 26, 2012)
US House Efforts Stall as Senate Moves Swiftly to Support IAC
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) turns her back on the Global AIDS community and withdraws her co-sponsorship to support Congressional Resolution 131 expressing support for international cooperation to combat HIV/AIDS.
The Bilerico Project (July 27, 2012)
Hastings Hosted Democratic Florida Delegation Meeting on HIV/AIDS
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) hosted a Democratic Florida Delegation meeting on HIV/AIDS on Thursday, July 26th at 8:30 a.m. in room 2212 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
Erin M. Moffet, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings Office (July 25, 2012)
Ending AIDS in South Florida's Black Communities
Local and National Leaders Launch the Black Treatment Advocates Network, a New Public-Private Partnership to Fight AIDS in Miami/Dade and Broward Counties. More>>
Black AIDS Weekly (August 14, 2012)
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Upcoming Events
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How Will ACA Expand Access to HIV Prevention and Testing?
One of the most important aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is its focus on prevention and expanded coverage of many preventive services to keep people from becoming sick in the first place.
Register for this webinar for an overview of the preventative services included in the ACA that can improve the health of people living with HIV and promote HIV prevention.
Presenters will review what preventive services will be covered by Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance plans, including the women's preventive services package, and discuss the important role the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force plays in coverage determinations. Using HIV screening as a case study, we will examine how preventive services are being implemented at the state and federal level and highlight some of the barriers towards implementation. A CDC staff member has been invited to discuss how the agency is implementing ACA's preventive services to assist in their work to prevent HIV. The webinar will take place Thursday, August 23 at 11:30 a.m. PT, 12:30 p.m. MT, 1:30 p.m. CT, 2:30 p.m. ET (Please note the correct time for your time zone!) Click here to register today!
Upcoming USCA Deadlines August 31, 2012 Register Today!! Registration Link Hotel Rooms Are Going Fast!! Caesar's Palace is almost sold out of rooms at our conference rate! To reserve a room click here or call 1-866-227-5944 TODAY! Make sure to mention the USCA group code: SCNMA2 to access the special rates. We also have another block of rooms available at the Flamingo Las Vegas for $60/night! The Flamingo is directly across the street from the Caesars Palace. To reserve a room at the Flamingo, click here and enter Group Code SFNMA2 or call 1-866-227-5944 on or before August 27, 2012. NMAC (August 16, 2012)
REMINDER: Time is running out...the application deadline is AUG 31, 2012. If you have NOT done so, please submit your applications. There needs to be a great demand/interest in order for this to be an annual event.
Regional Stakeholder Engagement Teleconference with CMS
on Health Insurance Marketplace & Expanded Insurance Options
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invite you to a regional teleconference with CMS staff to:
* Update you on the latest information regarding implementation of the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchanges), part of the Affordable Care Act.
* Start discussing strategies to educate the uninsured, under-insured, and small businesses about expanded insurance coverage options.
Atlanta: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Please register at http://cmsatlantahie.eventbrite.com
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Informational
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Like FHAAN on Our New Facebook Page
We have a Facebook page and are asking everyone to "like" it to help get more folks interested in us.
Below is a link to the page and if you would simply go to it and "like" it, that would be awesome:
https://www.facebook.com/FloridaHivAidsAdvocacyNetwork
Thanks for your continued support and promotion of FHAAN!
RW Program Coordinator Position
I am reaching out to you both because of your connections in the HIV/AIDS community, you are both very qualified, and because you are really nice and helpful! I am leaving the company on August 3rd and therefore the RW program coordinator position will be open. They may or may not advertise right away, however they will accept resumes.
We need someone with a Masters in a related field, i.e., social work, nursing, or management, strong grant writing and public speaking, networking, knowledge of HIV/AIDS issues and medical terminology is helpful, strong quality assurance/improvement, and supervisory skills. An understanding of Part c and Part B funding is helpful, as is the ability to oversee medical case management, and collaborate with medical and dental providers. It is a full time position with comprehensive benefits.
Candidates can send their resumes to our HR department or attention to Dr. Wilhelmina Lewis, CMO.
Lori Zeh, LCSW - Ryan White Program Director, FL Community Health Centers
772-461-1402 lzeh@fchcinc.org, ext 422
Scientists See AIDS Vaccine Within Reach
NBCNews.com (July 16, 2012)
FDA Approves First Drug for Reducing Risk of Sexually Acquired HIV
FDA.gov (July 16, 2012)
AIDS Still Plagues Much of South Florida
Sun-Sentinel (July 26, 2012)
Call to Action: HIV and Young Gay/Bisexual Men in the U.S.
National Minority AIDS Council is seeking both organization and individual endorsements for a Call to Action addressing the disparate impact of HIV among young gay and bisexual men in the United States. NMAC developed the Call to Action, informed by HPTN 061, in concert with similarly missioned organizations to address the broad variables that have led to HIV infection becoming a rite of passage to adulthood for many young gay and bisexual men.
There is no deadline.
Endorsements can be recorded by clicking here or visiting www.nmac.org.
NMAC (August 6, 2012)
The FDA sent a warning letter over unsafe practices at Community Blood Centers of Florida, which they accuse of not storing blood at the right temperature, mixing up records and taking almost three months to inform an HIV-positive donor.
Sun Sentinel (August 14, 2012)
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FHAAN Member Spotlight
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Mario Pinna Ferri  I am a 54 year old gay man. I belong to the generation that witnessed the emergence of HIV/AIDS as a disease that would affect the entire world. Few can remember when this mysterious illness was referred to as "slim disease" to then morph into some sort of conspiracy theory illness based on a Hepatitis B vaccination program, and then on to the GRID-ARC-AIDS continuum.
I tested positive for HIV in 1994. I had to learn how to advocate for myself in medical settings, having been confronted with denial of treatment simply for being someone with an illness that was too taboo to be treated. I had to learn how to advocate for better medications for myself, at a time when we blindly followed whatever hand outs (medications) we were given. I had to learn how to stand up for myself whenever the ugly hand of stigma would roar in my face. Of course, I was not alone. I belong to a community who believes in basic Human Rights and dignity for all.
I have learned how to and participated in lobbying our Congress in effecting changes that reflect HIV/AIDS as a Humanitarian Crisis. It is my belief that we must congeal our unity of purpose to bring this Crisis to an end.
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FHAAN Chair Spotlight
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John Eaton Chair, FHAAN Structure Committee (South/Major Metro Region)
John is the Associate Administrator at Jackson Health Systems, where he is responsible for managing the South Florida AIDS Network (SFAN); duties include ensuring maximum program effectiveness and responsiveness while adhering to a fifteen million dollar budget allocation, including Ryan White Parts A & B Patient Care, General Revenue Network, Early Intervention and Medicaid programs. He provides direction to a multi-disciplinary workforce of sixty-four (64) employees; ensures that services and outcomes comply with standards established by various accrediting, licensing other regulatory agencies and the Jackson Health System.
Previously, John was the Program Administrator for the Miami-Dade County Health Department. John was responsible for administrative work involving management of the Ryan White Part B Program, General Revenue Network, contract management, planning and development of all patient care services for the Miami-Dade County Health Department/Office of HIV/AIDS; development of twelve million dollar budget for Ryan White Part B and General Revenue Patient Care Network; and identification and resolution of operational and management challenges.
John is also a team member with the Statewide Florida Comprehensive Plan. The Statewide Comprehensive Plan is the Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs three year plan for delivering HIV/AIDS services. The plan includes detailed analysis of service need and is used as a blue print for HIV care.
 For more information, please visit: |
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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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