Important Happenings in HIV/Health Policy

Important Happenings in
HIV/Health Policy

Week Ending: July 24, 2018
By: Matthew Rose & Sable K. Nelson

Opportunities for Input: Let Your Voice be Heard

Leading up to the US Conference on AIDS (USCA) in September, Act Now: End AIDS will solicit community input to inform the creation of a federal plan to end the epidemic. However it is important that we hear from affected communities from around the country in four primary ways:

1. An online recommendation form at

https://survey.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eWde8Hsj4p0L4UJ . SUBMISSIONS DUE BY AUGUST 10.

2. Online webinars covering key recommendation topics ( prevention and testing, care and treatment, structural interventions, research, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, opioids and the overdose epidemic, data and metrics)
3. Web-based meetings and conference calls led by and soliciting input from specific affected communities

4. An in person pre-USCA meeting to discuss an early draft of the plan to be held on September 5 in Orlando, FL

We invite you to use any and all of these options to provide recommendations for the plan. The online form may be used for as many recommendations as you want to submit. While individuals are absolutely invited to submit online recommendation forms, we also encourage submissions from groups.

Pharmacy Gag Rule

Last Wednesday, the Senate passed the pharmacy gag rule. What is the pharmacy gag rule? It prevent pharmacists from telling patients that they could save money on their prescriptions. The bill, S. 2554, sponsored by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), would outlaw pharmacy benefit management (PBM) contracts that restrict pharmacists from telling consumers if they could save money by buying a drug directly or using assistance programs rather than using their insurance co-pay. Next steps are for the bill to be put on the calendar for a vote before the full U.S. Senate. For more information, READ → https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jul/25/susan-collins-writes-bill-to-ban-gag-clauses-at-ph/

Check Out the Kaiser Health News’ Podcast: ‘What The Health?’
In the most recent episode of Kaiser Health News’ “What the Health?”, Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo, and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner talk about the new push on health legislation by Republicans in the House, as well as developments on Medicaid work requirements, drug prices, and the fate of children separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexican border. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists offer their favorite health stories of the week. For more information, LISTEN → https://khn.org/news/podcast-khns-what-the-health-congress-and-health-care-again/?utm_campaign=KHN%20-%20Weekly%20Edition&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=64787216&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9X6ycxHo_weKq7UQE4wOfsTu65loYZIBnZtVtoaJtBYVhwt5SSnSpUH-fmCmB9g5MuriDBLsZrNQTndEizDfeUZmWYkA&_hsmi=64787216

What You Can Do

TAKE ACTION: It is very important that our elected officials hear from us to protect federal HIV funding for HIV prevention and care. Speak truth to power by sharing your personal stories with your elected officials. It is vitally important to meet with your federal elected officials when they are at home. If we don’t support and advocate for HIV funding and programs, who will?  Our movement cannot afford to stand on the sidelines.  Your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives need to hear from you.

• Find your U.S. Senators: https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
• Find your U.S. Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Also, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE in time for the primary and general elections happening this year:

For more information, VISIT→ https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state/

Finally, PARTICIPATE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION(S) in your state:

For more information, VISIT→ http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/2018-state-primary-election-dates.aspx

What NMAC is Doing About It

NMAC remains vigilant in its advocacy to protect FY19 government funding and the existence of the social safety net.