FLORIDA AIDS ACTION
Tampa: 813-232-5886
Tallahassee: 850-656-7760, ext. 300
Miami: 305-891-3666
Washington, DC: 202-299-9430

For Immediate Release: 8.8.03
Media Contact: Mary Ann T. Green, 813-974-4892 / mgreen@floridaaidsaction.org

ADVOCATES URGE PACHA TO FUND AIDS PROGRAMS BASED ON NEED

Washington, DC - Florida AIDS Action (FLAA) and the Southern AIDS Coalition (SAC) urged the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) to address disparities in AIDS funding and treatment during a meeting held yesterday in Washington, DC.

"The South represents just over 1/3rd of the US population (36%) but accounts for 40% of people estimated to be living with AIDS in our country. We as advocates and constituents call upon the Administration to take action," notes Florida AIDS Action Executive Director and Southern AIDS Coalition Co-Chair Dr. Gene Copello.

During the meeting, Copello outlined three of the Coalition's draft policy statements as paraphrased below:
1. Ensuring that all persons living in the United States, regardless of their geographic location, have access to quality STD and HIV/AIDS outreach and education
2. That all persons in the United States, regardless of their geographic location, whose income is at or below 300% of poverty level have access to HIV-specific medical care and medication formularies with US Public Health Service guidelines
3. That the Administration acknowledge the need to maintain the current public health infrastructure and that the "twin epidemics of HIV/AIDS and STDs in the South be addressed by targeted new resources at the local, state, and federal levels of government"

"This issue goes beyond the South. This is a national issue," explains Copello. "Every man, woman and child in the United States has a right to easily accessible and appropriate medical care." He continues, "We asked PACHA to address this issue with the Administration at their last meeting. Now, it's time for the Administration to back their public statements by actually funding programs, such as the Ryan White CARE Act and AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), at levels that meet actual need."

A foundation of the Ryan White CARE Act, ADAP provides life saving medications to persons living with HIV/AIDS. Currently, ADAP programs around the nation are in a state of crisis with 11 programs closing enrollment and implementing waiting lists.

Notes Michael Ruppal, associate executive director with FLAA, "Many AIDS advocates see the ADAP crisis as an indicator of what's to come and fear that the underinsured, uninsured and poor will continue to be disproportionately impacted by AIDS, providing another blow to southern states."

In a statement released earlier today, Patrick Guerriero, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, furthered these sentiments stating, "While we are encouraged by increased funding proposals from President Bush and Congress, current funding is inadequate… While there is no 'one size fits all states' figure to close the ADAP gap we know that an immediate infusion of $100 million in additional federal funding is imperative. We must prevent the crisis situations in individual state ADAP programs from turning into an even more severe nationwide ADAP crisis in 2004."

For more information on AIDS funding issues, the Southern AIDS crisis, and to become involved in AIDS advocacy work, contact Florida AIDS Action at: (813) 232-5886, or by email at: information@floridaaidsaction.org

FLORIDA AIDS ACTION
Tampa: 813-232-5886
Tallahassee: 850-656-7760, ext. 300
Miami: 305-891-3666
Washington, DC: 202-299-9430

For Immediate Release: 8.08.03
Media Contact: Mary Ann T. Green, 813-974-4892/mgreen@floridaaidsaction.org

FLORIDA AIDS WALK: A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Tampa, FL - Stroll, blade, jog or walk - just take A Step in the Right Direction as Florida AIDS Action (FLAA) presents Florida AIDS Walk, a World AIDS Day event, on Saturday, December 6, 2003.

Designed to coincide with World AIDS Day activities occurring globally the first week in December, Florida AIDS Walk is a 2-mile walk-a-thon through scenic Al Lopez Park, Tampa. The event is produced by and benefits Florida AIDS Action, Florida's only statewide nonprofit AIDS organization.

Florida AIDS Walk activities begin with registration at 8 a.m. The day includes:

· Opening & Closing ceremonies, complete with prizes for top fundraisers
· Refreshments
· Children's activities
· Informational booths
· The Walk and more!

"This event serves several purposes - it raises awareness of AIDS, provides individuals with a way to get actively involved in the battle against HIV disease and helps us raise the funds we need to continue the vital work that we do to ensure the needs of Floridians living with HIV/AIDS are being met on both State and Federal levels," explains FLAA Executive Director Dr. Gene Copello.

The work Dr. Copello was speaking of includes:
· Giving voice to 100,000 Floridians living with AIDS
· Educating elected officials on AIDS and the need for appropriate and adequate funding
· Providing trainings and technical assistance to organizations and community planning bodies creating a statewide network of grassroots advocacy
· Developing a healthcare professionals advocacy network so healthcare professionals can talk to legislators about the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS, as well as those who care for them
· Advocating for funding, programs and services, such as:
o AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) - which provides life saving medication to more than 13,000 Floridians each month
o AIDS Insurance Continuation Program (AICP) - which pays the private health insurance premiums of more than 1,400 Floridians with HIV/AIDS, reducing the numbers of persons accessing more costly State funded programs such as Medicaid

"This really is an event for everyone," explains FLAA Board Member and Florida AIDS Walk Committee Member Robin Kurtzman. "Whether you sponsor, volunteer, walk, or pledge a walker, you can make a difference… and you really can have a wonderful time doing it. This is a win-win situation." She concludes, "So, what are you waiting for - sign up today!"

For more information on the Florida AIDS Walk: A Step in the Right Direction, please contact Florida AIDS Action at 813-974-4892, or via email at Mgreen@floridaaidsaction.org

Florida AIDS Walk is sponsored by (reflects sponsors at time of distribution): Agouron/Pfizer, The Florida Aquarium, The Gazette, MOSI, Production Partners, QueerTampa.com, Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Starbucks Coffee Company, Sweet Tomatoes, Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Tampa & Pinellas CARE, Tampa Theatre, UPN 44, USF Division of Infectious & Tropical Diseases at TGH, Weekly Planet.

To become involved in AIDS advocacy work, contact Florida AIDS Action at: (813) 232-5886, or by email at: information@floridaaidsaction.org.