DAPCAN
Desert AIDS Project Community Action Newsletter
March 21, 2013
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Enjoy the Rhythms and
Seasons of Earth
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Editorial Staff
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David Brinkman
Chief Executive Officer
Barry Dayton
Director of Marketing and Communications
Alexis Ortega
Interactive Marketing
Specialist
Rick Vila
Volunteer Co-editor
John Lewis
Volunteer Co-editor
Steve Bolerjack
Volunteer Co-editor
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Tomorrow, Friday, March 22, 5:00 PM
Furry Friends Show to benefit Guide Dogs of the Desert
 While the deadline to register your pet has passed, you can still attend the canine "Fashion Show" at the Gardens at  73-545 El Paseo in Palm Desert tomorrow. All sorts of desert dogs will be on parade just for fun. A $10 donation will go to benefit Guide Dogs of the Desert which provides service animals to a number of D.A.P. clients. (sb)
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Thursday, March 28, 4:00 PM 
EXPOSED: An HIV-positive Playboy Playmate
talks about her life
Annenberg Center for Health Sciences, first floor, Eisenhower Medical Center, 39000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270. See more information below. (jl)
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Tuesday, April 2, 6:00 - 8:00 PM: Positive Life Series
Aging Well with HIV
 What to expect growing older with HIV and what to do about it, with Daniel Tietz from ACRIA in NYC. As always, a light supper is served at 6:00 PM, and the program begins at 6:30 PM. The location is the Sinatra Auditorium at Desert Regional Medical Center (corner of Tachevah and Via Miraleste in Palm Springs) and the event, sponsored by Jewish Family Service of the Desert, is always free. ASL translation is provided. Questions? Email positivelifeseries@gmail.com. Plan to attend and bring a friend! (rv) Upcoming programs:May 7 - Update on latest in HIV treatments and cure research from the Retrovirus Conference (CROI), with D.A.P. medical director Dr. Homayoon Khanlou.
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Thursday, April 25: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner!
Dining Out For Life
 Last year, more than 40 restaurants participated in and contributed to Dining Out for Life. For breakfast, lunch, dinner, bagels or a drink at the bar, these restaurants and diners like you supported client services Desert AIDS Project! We're thrilled and wowed by all the community support. Do Good. Eat Well. And Dine Out and Fight AIDS! Click here for more information. (jl)
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Desert AIDS Project's Community Services Wing, also known as the Community Center, houses many activities and programs including arts and crafts workshops, bingo, movies, lending library and drop-in hours when clients may come in to just hang out with friends. The Community Center also hosts educational programs and classes designed to increase health literacy and empower clients to participate more in their own care. Follow this link to see details about next week's featured events listed below. If you would like to attend any of these events, please RSVP to Ray Robertson at 760.323.2118, ext. 295 or email rrobertson@desertaidsproject.org.
Upcoming Community Center featured events:
Friday, March 22, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
HIV AND YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Tuesday, March 26, 12:00 - 1:00 PM
HIV 101 - UNDERSTANDING STRIBILD
Every Thursday, 1:00 PM (no RSVP needed)
MOVIE & PIZZA! Ongoing Community Center activities:
- Support groups
- Hepatitis C therapy education
- Diabetes education
- Stitch in Time (needlecraft) - Third Wednesday of each month
- Community Center Computer Lab
- Lending Library
- Free films, Thursdays, 1:00 PM
- Afternoon tea, every Wednesday, 3:00 PM
Be sure to check out the complete Community Center Schedule for ongoing programs and drop-in hours.
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Monday yoga class is moving to Tuesday!
 The lunchtime yoga class previously held on Mondays will now take place on Tuesdays at noon starting on April 2. If you have any questions or need more information, contact Ray (see above). (jl)
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EXPOSED: An HIV-positive Playboy Playmate talks about her life
Rebekka Armstrong is a former Playboy Playmate™, whose announcement in 1994 that she was HIV-positive made international headlines. Along with Earvin "Magic" Johnson, she became one of the best-known public faces of heterosexual HIV transmission. Refusing to live in the shadow of HIV/AIDS, she has dedicated herself over the past 18 years to helping prevent others from becoming infected. Her personal story has been described as "one-of-a-kind", "extraordinary" and "inspiring." Rebekka will speak at a joint meeting of 100 Women and Partners for Life next Thursday, March 28, at 4:00 PM at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences, first floor, Eisenhower Medical Center, 39000 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage. Catering will be provided by LULU California Bistro. The event will mark National Women & Girls' HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. When Rebekka was 18 years old, she was featured as Playboy's Miss September 1986. During the next four years, she led an exciting life traveling, modeling and representing the organization. But she began to fatigue and bruise easily, and at the age of 22 was diagnosed with HIV. Despite the stereotypical lives of Playmates, Rebekka had contracted the virus from unprotected sex when she was in high school. In 1994, after years of hiding the physical effects of the virus and the destructive emotional result of keeping her diagnosis secret, she made the decision to go public. If you would like to attend her talk, please RSVP by tomorrow Friday, March 22 to Sue Knollenberg at 760.323.9641 or by email at sknollenberg@desertaidsproject.org.
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Free makeovers and haircuts offered by Milan Cosmetology in La Quinta 
On Saturday afternoon, March 23, the Milan Institute of Cosmetology (47120 Dune Palms Road, La Quinta) will offer free make-up applications, manicures or haircuts, with all donations going to Desert AIDS Project. There will be food, raffle prizes and children's activities.
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New exhibits at Gallery 446 will benefit D.A.P.
 Two new exhibits opening this weekend at Gallery 446 (446 N. Indian Canyon in downtown Palm Springs) will make great contributions to the 100 Women Program at Desert AIDS Project. Yin | Yang is a sophisticated collection of works by nine different artists. It will mark the the Palm Springs premiere of first-time works by Shari Belafonte, actress and daughter of legendary singer Harry Belafonte, that have been shown in the Carnegie Hall Museum in New York City. Curated by Laurie Weitz, the show will also feature art by Amadea Bailey, Shaktima Brien, Dimitri Halkidis, Joe Oppedisano, Ken Rambo, Angela Romeo, Susanna Schulten and Audry Tommassini. Alongside Yin | Yang will be Photorotika Uncensored, a collaborative series of male photography featuring works by Dimitri Halkidis, Joe Oppedisano and Ken Ramboso. Artists' receptions for both exhibits will be Saturday evening, March 23 at 6:00 PM and both shows run  through May 25. D.A.P. and the 100 Women Program are very grateful to the artists, curators and gallery owners for donating 25% of the shows' sales to our organizations. Click here for full information at the Gallery 446 website. (jl) (sb)
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 Desert AIDS Project has a new psychiatrist and nursing manager in Wells Fargo HIV Health Center. David Hersh, MD (pictured near left) has joined D.A.P. as its new psychiatrist and is transitioning all of D.A.P.'s behavioral health services into a cohesive continuum of care. After graduation from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Hersh received his MD from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - Rutgers Medical School, followed by post-doctoral work in psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Hersh has been a professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut Health Center and at the University of California at San Francisco. He comes to D.A.P. from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, Community Behavior Health Services where he most recently served as Medical Director of Substance Use Treatment Services. "We are so pleased that Dr. Hersh has joined our staff, not only to carry a client caseload but also as a highly skilled administrator for psychiatric and related services," said Dr. Homayoon Khanlou, Medical Director for D.A.P. Also joining us as is RN Joel Chong (pictured far left). As nursing manager, Joel has primary responsibility for coordinating patient flow through D.A.P.'s medical clinic, supervising or performing triage and clinical patient assessments while overseeing the daily activities of D.A.P.'s medical assistants, LVNs, and other clinical staff. "In the short time Joel has been here, he's already shown his skill in keeping nursing operations running smoothly," said Dr. Khanlou. (jl) (sb)
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CROI news: Dolutegravir proven beneficial in treatment-resistant patients
 The new and highly promoted integrase inhibitor, Dolutegravir, seems to have proven its worth. Researchers at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) last week presented data showing that Dolutegravir is more beneficial than raltegravir (Isentress) for highly treatment-experienced people with resistance to two or more antiviral drug classes. It's a reminder that there are still far too many patients dealing with resistance and good news for those facing last-ditch therapy choices. Click here for the full story. (sb)
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More CROI news: successful alternative to Interferon for hepatitis C treatment
 An unfortunately high percentage of people with HIV are coinfected with hepatitis C (HCV) but there is some good news. Until recently, the only treatment for HCV has been a debilitating course of Interferon, often lasting as long as ten months. Now, researchers at CROI have presented a study in which HCV was successfully treated with drugs other than Interferon. The treatment involved a somewhat complicated combination of protease and polymerase inhibitors along with ribavirin. While these drugs have been around a long time, their combined use against HCV is relatively new and shows promising results. Most importantly from the patient's point of view is that this course of treatment appears to be easier than Interferon therapy and may result in far fewer adverse side-effects. If you are dealing with HCV coinfection, it's worth a discussion with your doctor. Click here and here for more information. (sb)
Editor's note: CROI is one of the most significant HIV/AIDS conferences and it's wise to keep up with its results and announcements. Click here for a good summary of CROI news, including information about several new antivirals in the R&D pipeline.
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Mortality in HIV patients now near normal rates if CD4s maintained
 More good news: a new study published this month in the medical journal AIDS shows that life expectancy for people living with HIV is now near that of non-HIV patients. Still, there is a major caveat. These results have only been indicated in patients maintaining a CD4 (T-cell) count of more than 500 cells/cubic millimeters. Patients with CD4 counts falling below this milestone showed a marked increase in mortality, although not necessarily from an exclusive diagnosis of full-blown AIDS. The study noted that long-term inflammation remains a potential problem for almost anyone who is HIV-positive. Click here for more about this encouraging study. (sb)
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French study shows some control of HIV after stopping treatment 
A recent study of HIV patients in France has shown that some viral load may be suppressed to undetectable or very small levels after the patients ceased antiviral therapy. But most researchers advise cautious reaction to these results: "These people are not cured, said Dr. Myron S. Cohen, AIDS researcher at the University of North Carolina, "but they have some advantages that would be good to understand." One implication of the French study is that many people now taking antiviral medications might be able to safely stop. But many doctors said the study did not provide enough information to predict which patients that might be, and that patients should never simply stop on their own. Whether this might signal a so-called "functional" cure remains debatable. Click here to read more on the French study and here for a summary article about where we really stand regarding a "functional cure," a term which may be overly used and far too optimistic. (sb)
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"Virtual" HIV patients? Computer models advance in treatment predictions 
As technology continues to increase (some say infiltrate) in more aspects of our lives, it's a promising development that computer modeling is enabling better prediction of an HIV patient's potential for treatment success or failure. After nearly 20 years of HIV drugs, eventual regimen failure remains an ongoing problem. Failure can be sudden, unexpected, inexplicable and may even result in rapid health deterioration and serious illness. But sophisticated computer models can now more accurately predict how HIV patients may respond to new treatments, according to a study published online in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy on March 14. The models are able to suggest successful alternative drug combinations without expensive phenotype and genotype tests. There are costs of the new technology but it may eventually become routine if proven to save money in drug costs, testing and lives in the fight against the tiny wretched bugger pictured above--an actual, individual human immunodeficiency virus under electron microscope. Click here to read more. (sb)
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Positively Aware issues Annual HIV Drug Guide Treatment journal Positively Aware this week released its yearly HIV Drug Guide, which is an always-current and reliable reference that enables you to check on any issues or questions you may have with your regimen. It's handy to bookmark it and increase your familiarity and comfort level with the meds you are taking (although we're not sure what to make of the odd graphic at left that accompanies it). Click here for the new Drug Guide. (sb)
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Will new pope bring Roman Catholic Church into twenty-first century on HIV/AIDS and LGBT issues?
 Last week's installation of the new head of the Roman Catholic Church may have produced mere shrugs among some of us dealing with bigger issues. But Pope Francis I (a.k.a. Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina) may (we use the word loosely) have the potential to address HIV/AIDS more directly and compassionately than his predecessors. Some claim the new pontiff has a more practical view, perhaps approving or even encouraging use of condoms to prevent the spread of disease. There is some precedent: former Pope Benedict XVI said in 2010 that condoms might be "morally acceptable in some cases" (he didn't define which cases) to prevent HIV, but not to prevent pregnancy (a position that has baffled and annoyed this very lapsed Catholic editor for years). Still, the new pope is also on record as opposed to contraception, a woman's right to choose and marriage equality. He did visit a hospice in 2001 and kissed and washed the feet of 12 people with AIDS. The effectiveness of this treatment, however, remains unreported. At the very least, we hope he will address and resolve the sexual abuse scandals that have cast a hypocritical pall over the Church for years, damaged countless lives and driven away many Catholics. Click here for POZ magazine's take and links to other news sources. (sb)
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Rivendell Media's Press Pass Q offers wide range of national, professional online news and commentary
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New LGBTQ publication, The Standard, now online
 Like many other magazines and newspapers fighting for advertisers and revenue, The Bottom Line, Palm Springs' only regular gay and lesbian news and feature publication, closed down last year. However, its former general manager, Nino Eilets, recently launched a new online publication that ought to fill some of the void: The Standard, which has already included Desert AIDS Project as one of its media partners. We wish the new digital 'zine the best of luck and encourage you to read and support it. Click here for the latest issue and here for the The Standard website. (sb)
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ADAP: A welcome resource that needs both monitoring and updating
by Steve Bolerjack
 As we all know, ADAP is a state program that helps us get lifesaving medications we are otherwise unable to afford. I'm very grateful to have had ADAP over the last few years and was pleased at my last qualifying/update interview that the whole process seemed to have improved, requiring far less time and paper than in the past. And having the interview on or before your birthday is a good way to keep track.
But in government agencies' red-taped webs, things are rarely as they seem. In January, I had brought all required paperwork to the ADAP office in the Riverside County's Palm Springs Family Care Center (next door to D.A.P.) and was told everything was in order. I was out in a record 15 minutes and thought, there's one less medical hassle to worry about.
I get my meds here at D.A.P. Walgreen's (best pharmacists in town) on auto-refill which enables pharmacy and ADAP computers to easily communicate...or so I thought. Late on a recent Friday afternoon, I came in as usual to pick up my monthly haul and was regretfully informed that some of them were unavailable since my ADAP qualification had expired after the 30-day grace period. This conversation ensued:
Me: "Uh, how is this possible? I was told in January that I was all set for another year."
Pharmacist: "ADAP says they don't have your latest labs."
Me: "My doctor's office assured me they were faxed on time."
Pharmacist: "Steve, this happens in a large majority ADAP renewals that come through here. One or two sheets of paper go astray and ADAP doesn't let you know until your grace period is over and you need your next meds. Then it's too late for them to pay. And it happens so often that we can't lend meds to tide you over anymore."
Me: "Can we call ADAP now?"
Pharmacist: "It's nearly five p.m. and it's Friday afternoon. What do you think?"
Me: "This bill is hundreds of dollars."
Pharmacist: "You could put it on your credit card."
Me: "How is efficient is ADAP's reimbursement procedure?"
Silence.
Caught between a pharmaceutical rock and a bureaucratic hard place, I told him I understood and trudged home. I'd gulped my last Emtriva, Isentress, et al., that morning so I settled in for an antiviral-less weekend and decided not to think about it. By the following Wednesday, after numerous phone calls, voice mails, re-faxes, cross-checks and then returned calls "within 48 hours," all was finally cleared up and I got my medications.
This may sound like a typical fuss we all have with labs, insurers, doctors and pharmacies, and it is--but it's also an indication of how easily one can slip through yawning cracks in today's healthcare morass. No one individual was to blame for my having to skip meds for several days--instead, the process itself is faulty, inefficient and out-of-date. Apparently, ADAP has no system to inform you that something has been lost until they expire you. Nor are pharmacists notified that something is awry and therefore, are left with the unpleasant task of telling their customers they cannot get the medicine they need. And why is all this paper still representing us? We all have computers and we know how to send and open attachments. I receive all my labs online from my doctor. Why is ADAP still requiring faxes and stumbling over thousands of individual paper trails that can so easily become trackless, confused and lost?
I don't know how to fix ADAP's processing and notification problems (except to recommend a crash course on emailing and how to send and receive PDF documents). All I can do is tell this story as a caution and to advise anyone on ADAP to monitor your eligibility status carefully, especially in the two- to three-month period after your latest interview. I ought to have made follow-up calls soon after my meeting to ensure all my papers were indeed in order. But I'd been told otherwise. Lesson: presume nothing. ADAP's policy is to return calls within 48 hours and they are fairly reliable and even pleasant about that. It's the system itself that you must monitor. As always, when it comes to your healthcare administration, no one is looking out for you but your own self. When in doubt, call. And when you think all is well, call anyway.
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"If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
--Will Rogers
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Ongoing Benefits, Resources & Information
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Keep track of healthcare reform changes
 If you are on Medicare, it's important to keep track of ongoing changes in coverage and payment options. Most importantly, the "donut hole" of Medicare Part D drug plan co-pays begins to close this year (see below). Regardless of your current insurance situation, click here for a government website that provides some guidance regarding Medicare, Medicaid and other possible insurance options (albeit limited) for those living with disabilities and/or chronic health issues (pay particular attention to the Medicare and Timeline tabs). And click here for an even more detailed summary. (sb)
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ADAP may pay Medicare Part D premium 
ADAP-eligible clients who have to purchase Part D prescription drug coverage may qualify to have their Part D premium paid by the State of California. Follow this link to the Part D Premium Payment Program Application. You can also call the State of California at 916.449.5900 for more information. (jl)
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Help with Medicare
 The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. This includes information about original Medicare, Medicare Health Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Supplemental policies and Long-term Care Insurance. The California Department of Aging (CDA) is responsible for statewide administration of SHIP, which is delivered through the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). HICAP services can be accessed via a toll-free line at 800.434.0222. The local HICAP counselor is located at the Mizell Center in Palm Springs and can be reached at 760.323.5689. Follow this link for more information.
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Help paying for prescription medications
 Among the resources available to HIV-positive people to help pay for prescription medications is NeedyMeds. The mission of NeedyMeds is to make information about assistance programs available to low-income patients and their advocates at no cost. Go to www.needymeds.org, look up the medications you need and you'll be directed to the patient assistance program website for that manufacturer. The site also offers a free drug discount card that is accepted at more than 62,000 pharmacies. If you are having trouble paying for your medications this site is worth a look! (jl) (sb)
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Help paying for private health insurance premiums 
If you or someone you are close to is HIV positive and paying for private health insurance, there may be help in paying premiums. The California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS ( OA) administers the Health Insurance Premium Payment ( OA- HIPP) Program. OA has expanded OA- HIPP to make this program available to more individuals with health insurance who are at risk of losing it, and to individuals currently without health insurance who would like to purchase it. You do NOT need to be a D.A.P. client to access OA-HIPP. Follow this link to see if you qualify, and also check out the above links in the Healthcare reforms article. (jl) (sb)
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Quest Diagnostics website
Riverside County Healthcare (RCHC) Lab services are provided at both Riverside County Regional Medical Center (RCRMC) in Moreno Valley and Quest Diagnostics. All former LabCorps patients are now served at Quest. Click here or above for the Quest website: locations, hours and to make an appointment. Back to top |
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Medically Indigent Services Program (MISP)
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
 For those who qualify, medical care and help paying for your medications are available through the MISP and ADAP programs.* Find out if you qualify: schedule an appointment by calling the numbers below. You can schedule your MISP and ADAP appointments together for Moreno Valley office ONLY. Call no sooner than four weeks before your ADAP qualifying expiration date (usually around your birthday). If you qualify for ADAP only, the local ADAP office is right across the driveway, south of D.A.P., at the Palm Springs Family Care Center. Specify the Palm Springs office when you call. Here are the numbers:
877.501.5085 - toll free 951.486.5375 - English
951.486.5400 - Spanish 951.486.4635 - fax
*NOTICE: Faxed MISP applications can get lost in the process. Many people who have faxed their application have had to re-apply later. It's best to apply in person in Moreno Valley, and get a "receipt of application", and use that as proof that you applied to avoid uninterrupted services with your D.A.P. medical doctor visits.
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D.A.P. contact information
 The Desert AIDS Project local phone number is 
760.323.2118. The toll-free phone number is 866.331.3344 and the website is desertaidsproject.org.
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DAPCAN back issues always available online
 Need another look at something you read in DAPCAN? Find past issues online by clicking this link. As always, you can also read the most current edition of DAPCAN on the D.A.P. website here. And we've recently updated these links to ensure that the very latest issues of DAPCAN are always available. (jl)
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D.A.P. holiday closings for 2013
April 1 - Cesar Chavez Day 
May 27 - Memorial Day
July 4 - Independence Day
September 2 - Labor Day
October 14 - Columbus Day
November 11 - Veteran's Day
November 28-29 - Thanksgiving
December 25 - Christmas Day
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Call 211 for essential human services in Riverside County
 2-1-1 is a toll-free service for residents looking for information about essential human services such as affordable housing, food pantries, help for an aging parent, free or low cost health services, addiction prevention programs, employment, support groups, volunteer opportunities, and 1,700 additional services! (jl)
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Contact information for state and federal officials--click on name:
Desert AIDS Project - Community Action Newsletter (DAPCAN) presents published material, reprinted with permission, and neither endorses or opposes any material. All information contained in this newsletter, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. Always discuss treatment options with a physician who specializes in treating HIV. Publication of the name or likeness of any individual in articles in this newsletter is not to be construed as any indication of the HIV status of such individual. If you do not wish to receive this e-newsletter, please notify us by using the email address below:
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Additional Contacts/Social Networking
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