ADH Announces Ryan White/ ADAP Policy Changes
The Arkansas Department of Health's Ryan White Part B and ADAP Program Manager, Tiffany
Vance has announced recent changes to the Ryan White Part B and AIDS Drug Assistance Program, commonly known as ADAP.
As, of Monday, January 20, 2014 the program increased the gross income criteria to 400% FPL for both Part B & ADAP services. Prior to the change the level stood at 200% FPL (Federal Poverty Level) which current client could not exceed to qualify for the programs.
According a released memo, with this change the
program views these changes as an opportunity to assist more HIV positive
Arkansans across the state. Those persons previously denied or discharged can
be contacted to re-apply for services. Those persons currently in Transition to
Discharge (TTD) will be able to remain on Part B and ADAP services.
Cornelius Mabin, Arkansas HIV Planning Group, Community Co-Chair said, "We have been awaiting this ruling in lieu of the Affordable Care Act roll out last year." He continued, " the significance of this move is again apart of the shifting landscape in health care and the continuum of care for those living with HIV and AIDS. Nevertheless, AHPG encourages consumers to be vigilant in being informed and educated as to options whether it be at www.Healthcare.gov or seeking assistance through this policy change." For more information contact Miss Vance at 501.661-2745 concerning the RW/ADAP programs or for Affordable Care Act information and assistance call 501. 349-7777.
Arkansans to Attend AIDS Watch
Arkansas HIV Planning Group Co-Chair, Cornelius Mabin and local advocate, Mr. Lee Brown will be joining the largest annual national constituent-based advocacy event focused on HIV and AIDS in the United States, April 28-29 in Washington D.C.
as apart of AIDS Watch 2014.
A partnership of Treatment Access Expansion Project, AIDS United and the US People Living with HIV Caucus, AIDSWatch draws hundreds of HIV-positive advocates and their allies to Washington DC to educate Members of Congress and their staff about HIV/AIDS. All participants are provided with training on current science, legislative agendas, and conducting effective meetings with their elected representation.
Mabin serves as the Community Co-Chair of the Arkansas HIV Planning Group which seeks to decrease HIV infections across the state while monitoring the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention education and interventions. "I am excited about this chance to again engage our Capitol Hill Representatives, said Mabin. "It is vitally important that the many issues surrounding HIV and AIDS not be lost despite the passage of the Affordable Care Act. The message I want to leave with policy makers will be one that speaks to the needs of many of their constituents." Brown stated, " I'm glad to get the opportunity to be apart of the Arkansas delegation to reach out to our elected officials to remind them their support is still needed around this chronic disease. I can't wait to meet other activist from around the country and enjoy the training being made available."
The next Arkansas HIV Planning Group meeting will commence on February 14, from 10am - 1pm in the Arkansas Department of Health Auditorium, 4815 West Markham Street in Little Rock. This group is open to anyone and everyone interested in continuing to bring awareness around HIV and AIDS, additional health disparities and increasing the wellness of the community at large. Call for more information at 661-2942.
Statement from Sir Elton John on LGBT Law in Russia
NEED AFFORDABLE INSURACE INFO? CALL 349-7777 to get the facts on how you may qualify for subsidies or tax credits. Do it Today!!!
The Arkansas Department of Health's Ryan White Part B and ADAP Program Manager, Tiffany
Vance has announced recent changes to the Ryan White Part B and AIDS Drug Assistance Program, commonly known as ADAP.
As, of Monday, January 20, 2014 the program increased the gross income criteria to 400% FPL for both Part B & ADAP services. Prior to the change the level stood at 200% FPL (Federal Poverty Level) which current client could not exceed to qualify for the programs.
According a released memo, with this change the
program views these changes as an opportunity to assist more HIV positive
Arkansans across the state. Those persons previously denied or discharged can
be contacted to re-apply for services. Those persons currently in Transition to
Discharge (TTD) will be able to remain on Part B and ADAP services.Cornelius Mabin, Arkansas HIV Planning Group, Community Co-Chair said, "We have been awaiting this ruling in lieu of the Affordable Care Act roll out last year." He continued, " the significance of this move is again apart of the shifting landscape in health care and the continuum of care for those living with HIV and AIDS. Nevertheless, AHPG encourages consumers to be vigilant in being informed and educated as to options whether it be at www.Healthcare.gov or seeking assistance through this policy change." For more information contact Miss Vance at 501.661-2745 concerning the RW/ADAP programs or for Affordable Care Act information and assistance call 501. 349-7777.
Arkansans to Attend AIDS Watch
Arkansas HIV Planning Group Co-Chair, Cornelius Mabin and local advocate, Mr. Lee Brown will be joining the largest annual national constituent-based advocacy event focused on HIV and AIDS in the United States, April 28-29 in Washington D.C.as apart of AIDS Watch 2014.
A partnership of Treatment Access Expansion Project, AIDS United and the US People Living with HIV Caucus, AIDSWatch draws hundreds of HIV-positive advocates and their allies to Washington DC to educate Members of Congress and their staff about HIV/AIDS. All participants are provided with training on current science, legislative agendas, and conducting effective meetings with their elected representation.
The next Arkansas HIV Planning Group meeting will commence on February 14, from 10am - 1pm in the Arkansas Department of Health Auditorium, 4815 West Markham Street in Little Rock. This group is open to anyone and everyone interested in continuing to bring awareness around HIV and AIDS, additional health disparities and increasing the wellness of the community at large. Call for more information at 661-2942.
Statement from Sir Elton John on LGBT Law in Russia
I am deeply grateful for the support of the Russian people who have welcomed and accepted me in their country ever since I first visited in 1979.
On my last visit, in December 2013, I wondered whether the new legislation banning “homosexual propaganda” might have changed that. It hadn’t. I still felt the same warmth and welcome from the audiences that I have felt every time I have been in Russia.
On that trip I met with members of the LGBT community in Moscow. Although I was still welcomed as an openly gay foreigner, I wanted to really understand at first-hand what difference the legislation had made to Russian LGBT in their own country. What I heard reinforced all the media stories that have been circling since the propaganda bill became federal law: that vicious homophobia has been legitimised by this legislation and given extremists the cover to abuse people’s basic human rights.
The people I met in Moscow – gay men and lesbians in their 20′s, 30′s and 40′s - told me stories about receiving threats from vigilante groups who would “cure” them of homosexuality by dousing them with urine or beating them up.
One young man was stalked outside a gay club by someone posing as a taxi driver who tried to garrotte him with a guitar string because he was a “sodomite.” Everyone shared stories of verbal and physical abuse – at work, in bars and restaurants or in the and restaurants or in the street – since the legislation came into force last June. And, some of the vital work providing HIV prevention information to the gay community has been labeled “homosexual propaganda” and shut down.
It was very clear to me that although foreigners like myself who are visiting Russia are not affected by this new law (and President Putin has recently confirmed this), it is a very different story for those living inside the country. As Maria Maksakova told her fellow Russian MPs last month: “We are seeing extremely negative consequences as a result of this law, with the growth of hate crimes.”
President Putin asserts that this was not the intention, but it is undoubtedly the effect that this law has had by promoting misunderstanding and ignorance. In particular, it is very disappointing that the law explicitly links homosexuality with child sex abuse, which countless studies have shown to be conclusively wrong.
The people I met in Moscow were decent, kind, patriotic men and women who had no thought of forcing their sexuality on anyone. Whatever the intention of Russia’s homosexuality and paedophilia propaganda laws, I am absolutely clear from my own personal experience that it is proving deeply dangerous to the LGBT community and deeply divisive to Russian society. I would welcome the opportunity to introduce President Putin to some Russians who deserve to be heard, and who deserve to be treated in their own country with the same respect and warm welcome that I received on my last visit.
Tulsa Pride Produces Regional Conference
The inaugural Heartland Pride Summit, a regional conference of Pride Festival Organizers will take place February 7-9 2014 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This conference is an official conference of InterPride Region 3, however you do not have to be an InterPride Region 3 member to attend. Early Bird registration is free to the first 100 people by January 31, 2014 at TulsaPride.org. Holiday Inn Tulsa City Center will serve as the host hotel and will offer a $89 per night rate for participants. Underground parking is free to hotel guest.
All activities will take place at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center at 621 East 4th Street.
On my last visit, in December 2013, I wondered whether the new legislation banning “homosexual propaganda” might have changed that. It hadn’t. I still felt the same warmth and welcome from the audiences that I have felt every time I have been in Russia.
On that trip I met with members of the LGBT community in Moscow. Although I was still welcomed as an openly gay foreigner, I wanted to really understand at first-hand what difference the legislation had made to Russian LGBT in their own country. What I heard reinforced all the media stories that have been circling since the propaganda bill became federal law: that vicious homophobia has been legitimised by this legislation and given extremists the cover to abuse people’s basic human rights.
The people I met in Moscow – gay men and lesbians in their 20′s, 30′s and 40′s - told me stories about receiving threats from vigilante groups who would “cure” them of homosexuality by dousing them with urine or beating them up.One young man was stalked outside a gay club by someone posing as a taxi driver who tried to garrotte him with a guitar string because he was a “sodomite.” Everyone shared stories of verbal and physical abuse – at work, in bars and restaurants or in the and restaurants or in the street – since the legislation came into force last June. And, some of the vital work providing HIV prevention information to the gay community has been labeled “homosexual propaganda” and shut down.
It was very clear to me that although foreigners like myself who are visiting Russia are not affected by this new law (and President Putin has recently confirmed this), it is a very different story for those living inside the country. As Maria Maksakova told her fellow Russian MPs last month: “We are seeing extremely negative consequences as a result of this law, with the growth of hate crimes.”
President Putin asserts that this was not the intention, but it is undoubtedly the effect that this law has had by promoting misunderstanding and ignorance. In particular, it is very disappointing that the law explicitly links homosexuality with child sex abuse, which countless studies have shown to be conclusively wrong.
The people I met in Moscow were decent, kind, patriotic men and women who had no thought of forcing their sexuality on anyone. Whatever the intention of Russia’s homosexuality and paedophilia propaganda laws, I am absolutely clear from my own personal experience that it is proving deeply dangerous to the LGBT community and deeply divisive to Russian society. I would welcome the opportunity to introduce President Putin to some Russians who deserve to be heard, and who deserve to be treated in their own country with the same respect and warm welcome that I received on my last visit.
Tulsa Pride Produces Regional Conference
The inaugural Heartland Pride Summit, a regional conference of Pride Festival Organizers will take place February 7-9 2014 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
This conference is an official conference of InterPride Region 3, however you do not have to be an InterPride Region 3 member to attend. Early Bird registration is free to the first 100 people by January 31, 2014 at TulsaPride.org. Holiday Inn Tulsa City Center will serve as the host hotel and will offer a $89 per night rate for participants. Underground parking is free to hotel guest.
All activities will take place at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center at 621 East 4th Street.
This conference is specifically tailored to small to medium sized prides in the Midwest United States. Learn from our subject matter experts, presenting on topics which matter to your Pride. Mingle with the region’s allied elected officials, network with your fellow organizers, and enjoy the fantastic nightlife Tulsa has to offer.
NEED AFFORDABLE INSURACE INFO? CALL 349-7777 to get the facts on how you may qualify for subsidies or tax credits. Do it Today!!!
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