Led by Kentucky Equality Federation, the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Group, and AVOL (AIDS Volunteers Inc.), organizations across the Commonwealth expressed alarm and dismay that the 2010 budget was passed without funding for the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (KADAP).

Today, we celebrate victory, thanks in part to everyone who signed the Kentucky Equality Federation and Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Group™ (KHAAG) action alert.

Click here to read the Kentucky Department of Public Health Press Release, or click here to read the Kentucky Equality Federation press release.

Victory: Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program Funded!

December 06, 2010  - The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) announced today that improved program efficiencies, pharmaceutical rebates and supplemental funding from the federal government have led to the elimination of the list of individuals who were awaiting assistance from the Kentucky AIDS Drugs Assistance Program (KADAP).

Led by Kentucky Equality Federation, the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Group, and AVOL (AIDS Volunteers Inc.), organizations across the Commonwealth expressed alarm and dismay that the 2010 budget was passed without funding for the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (KADAP).

Today, we celebrate victory, thanks in part to everyone who signed the Kentucky Equality Federation and Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Group™ (KHAAG) action alert.

Click here to read the Kentucky Department of Public Health Press Release, or click here to read the Kentucky Equality Federation press release.

Courtesy of the Commonwealth News Service:

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) announced today that improved program efficiencies, pharmaceutical rebates and supplemental funding from the federal government have led to the elimination of the list of individuals who were awaiting assistance from the Kentucky AIDS Drugs Assistance Program (KADAP).

In September, all 306 individuals who were on a waiting list to receive medications for HIV/AIDS were enrolled in the program, giving them consistent access to life-sustaining drugs. KADAP is a payor of last resort for Kentuckians with HIV/AIDS who lack the resources to obtain needed medications. Without prescription medicines, the health of these individuals could deteriorate and drug resistance could develop, making treatment even more costly.

“This is another step forward in our work to assist Kentuckians living with HIV/AIDS,” said DPH Commissioner William Hacker, M.D. “Many Kentuckians rely on this program for assistance in obtaining medications that are absolutely vital for their health. Through the work of our staff – along with the advocacy community – individuals in need do not have to wait to access services.”

With the addition of those on the waiting list, the program now serves almost 1,500 Kentuckians. KADAP is expected to be able to accommodate the current rate of new enrollees, approximately 20 per month, through June 2012.

“KADAP is a vital link in the triad of care, treatment and prevention. When individuals have access to medication and treatment, it improves their health and quality of life,” said Bobby Edelen, president of the Kentucky HIV Advocacy and Action Group and at-large member of the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Planning and Advisory Council. “Moreover, when people realize this service is available – and they will have access to care – they are more likely to get tested.”

DPH officials project that if current funding levels and rate of new clients remain the same, no new waiting lists will be implemented in Kentucky through the 2011 fiscal year. Meanwhile, other states around the country continue to face long waiting lists for their AIDS Drugs Assistance Programs (ADAP), particularly in the southeast region of the country. In fact, 93 percent (3,765) of the people on ADAP waiting lists are from a southern state, according to the Southern AIDS Coalition.

DPH officials say the program has been an invaluable resource for its clients, but waiting lists presented a tremendous obstacle in their work to improve access to care and encourage individuals to get tested for HIV/AIDS.

“KADAP is a wonderful program that has benefited hundreds of Kentuckians in need of assistance accessing their medications,” said Sigga Jagne, manager of the HIV/AIDS in DPH. “Being able to eliminate the waiting list for the program helps us tremendously in our outreach to individuals with HIV/AIDS.”

The HIV/AIDS branch has worked diligently with community stakeholders to achieve program efficiencies, as well as educate policy-makers about the need for the program, according to KADAP Program Administrator Merinda Brown. This included leveraging pharmaceutical rebate dollars, emergency federal funding, and ADAP supplemental funds, while also redirecting monies from other program areas.

In addition, Public Health contracted with Kentucky Clinic Pharmacy (KPC), which provides medication to KADAP clients, to reduce fees and provide a number of drugs at a fixed price, as well as implement a variety of innovative cost-saving measures that allow more clients to be served. Together with health care providers and pharmacists on the program’s formulary advisory committee, the program was able to ensure cost-saving steps would not negatively impact the medical standard of care for clients in the program.

KADAP helps eligible low-income Kentuckians purchase AIDS-related, FDA-approved medications. Participants receive formulary medications through mail-order service provided by the KPC in Lexington.

For further information, call 1-866-510-0005.

The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group (“KHAAG”) is pleased that the Commonwealth of Kentucky was awarded $1.78 million dollars in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (“ADAP”) relief funds from the federal government. With this influx of money and other cost saving measures taken by the KDPH we will transition all of the remaining 251 people off of the wait list. It is projected that we will be able to absorb the projected 20 new cases every month for the rest of the fiscal year.

Special Statement from Bobby Edelen, Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group President:

The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group (“KHAAG”) is pleased that the Commonwealth of Kentucky was awarded $1.78 million dollars in AIDS Drug Assistance Program (“ADAP”) relief funds from the federal government. With this influx of money and other cost saving measures taken by the KDPH we will transition all of the remaining 251 people off of the wait list. It is projected that we will be able to absorb the projected 20 new cases every month for the rest of the fiscal year.

We applaud those who have worked so diligently to get the funds to eradicate the wait list in Kentucky. We would especially like to thank The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Branch Director Sigga Jagne for her hard work, in Washington DC and elsewhere, for educating and pleading the case of everyone in all 13 States on the wait list.

This is good news and we are grateful for the opportunity that is afforded the individual on the wait list to receive the life saving medication, but when we continue to look at the short term accomplishments and have no real plan to take care of the needs of the citizens that will need these services in the future, have we really anything to celebrate.

What is needed is a sustainable way to deliver medications to those individuals who will need them after the funds have run out and the wait list is once again a reality. It will take new ideas and new ways of thinking about how we deliver services, or maybe just a forward looking initiative to fund ADAP in a different way. We by no means have the answers but we are open to discuss alternative methods of funding and service delivery with anyone that wants to sit down and have a fruitful discussion.

√ We invite you to also sign an action alert for the Commonwealth to allocate additional funds to the Kentucky AIDS Drug Drug Assistance Program (KADAP)  This action alert is sponsored by Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group.

• Click here to continue reading the rest of the article at United We Stand – Kentucky’s LGBTI News™.

On February 17, 2010, I testified about the sad state of KADAP, (Kentucky Drug Assistance Program), highlighting the waiting list and other factors that caused health disparities among people living with HIV/AIDS. The representatives on the committee were attentive and polite. I think they were surprised that the Commonwealth was not contributing to KADAP.

There was other advocates there and the altogether the picture of how funding KADAP and other vital services was painted very well. Terri Jones and board member Monica Brown with Unicorn the Medwine Bell Foundation, an organization committed to testing and linking people to care, based in Louisville, KY. They spoke about how vital KADAP is in their efforts to getting those individuals into care..

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM KENTUCKY HIV/AIDS ADVOCACY ACTION GROUP (KHAAG) PRESIDENT BOBBY EDELEN:

It doesn’t matter how many times I go to Frankfort to testify or even to Washington I am struck with awe.

On February 17, 2010, I testified about the sad state of KADAP, (Kentucky Drug Assistance Program), highlighting the waiting list and other factors that caused health disparities among people living with HIV/AIDS. The representatives on the committee were attentive and polite. I think they were surprised that the Commonwealth was not contributing to KADAP.

There was other advocates there and the altogether the picture of how funding KADAP and other vital services was painted very well. Terri Jones and board member Monica Brown with Unicorn the Medwine Bell Foundation, an organization committed to testing and linking people to care, based in Louisville, KY. They spoke about how vital KADAP is in their efforts to getting those individuals into care..

Michelle Figueroa, a registered nurse gave testimony about her personal experience of working with the U of L Pharmacist and how she had an appreciation for how the medication work. Michelle end with an eloquent emotional plea for re-funding KADAP.

Representative Burch, a Champion for the cause of health equity ask some very astute questions. In those questions he demonstrated his support for re-funding KADAP and willingness to work on some measures to eradicate the waiting list.

Representative Watkins had a side-bar about HB-350 that he sponsored and supported wholeheartedly. After the hearing adjourned I approached him to inform him that KHAAG had sent out our position paper, which he knew about, and we called for it to be defeated. We had a short and cordial discussion about the issue and I think we agreed to disagree on this issue.

We must bring pressure to bear on the Budget Committee to let them know that we are concerned about KADAP and other funding issues we think is essential for better health care outcomes for people in Kentucky infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

SPECIAL UPDATE FROM OUR ALLY: KENTUCKY EQUALITY FEDERATION PRESIDENT JORDAN PALMER:

On Tuesday, the day before KHAAG President  Bobby Edelen testified, a volunteer and I met with lawmakers in Frankfort about restoring the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (KADAP).  Restoring the program received support from senior lawmakers; Kentucky Equality Federation remains optimistic about the program being restored before the end of the legislative session.  Without KADAP, the lives of over 5,000 Kentuckians who cannot afford medications remain at risk!

KHAAG President  Bobby Edelen and I will meet with senior lawmakers in Frankfort again on Wednesday.

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM GARY FOWLER – KHPAC/SPECIAL ADVISER:

Big KUDOS to those who participated and helped make this year, a year of change — Yes We Can (Obama). If you see or hear from any of these folks, or if I am missing someone,

Here are the players to thank:

Bobby Edelen — KHAAG President
Gary Fowler — KHPAC/Special Adviser and Mentor
Sigga Jagne — HIV/AIDS Branch Manager
Jordan Palmer — Kentucky Equality Federation President

The health of over 5,000 low-income Kentuckians living with HIV are already in grave danger without the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and House Bill 350 will place the lives of those at risk of infection in grave danger.

» The Aids Volunteers of Lexington (AVOL) issues a position paper about the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program. (view).

» Joint Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group action alert with Kentucky Equality Federation. (view)

Oppose House Bill 350 – We want physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. with training and education!

HIV and AIDS healthcare in Kentucky is decimated; the Commonwealth allowed the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program to expire. Now, lawmakers in Frankfort want to remove HIV/AIDS training requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Since treatment options change rapidly, it is imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS.

» The Aids Volunteers of Lexington (AVOL) issues a position paper about the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program. (view).

» Joint Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group action alert with Kentucky Equality Federation. (view)

The health of over 5,000 low-income Kentuckians living with HIV are already in grave danger without the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and House Bill 350 will place the lives of those at risk of infection in grave danger.

House Bill 350 is ethically irresponsible and a crime against anyone living with HIV/AIDS.

Take action right now by click here!

House Bill 350 seeks to remove HIV/AIDS training and education requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Both organizations are opposed to the legislation because treatment options change rapidly, making it imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS. It is a matter of getting people in the proper care as soon as possible. This could be the difference in a healthy outcome or multiple misdiagnoses that would end up costing more financially either for the patient themselves or for the taxpayers of Kentucky.

Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group today condemned House Bill 350 as ethically irresponsible and a crime against anyone living with HIV/AIDS

Lexington, KY (VIA PRWeb) February 10, 2010 – Two statewide advocacy groups, Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group today condemned House Bill 350 as ethically irresponsible and a crime against anyone living with HIV/AIDS.

House Bill 350 seeks to remove HIV/AIDS training and education requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Both organizations are opposed to the legislation because treatment options change rapidly, making it imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS. It is a matter of getting people in the proper care as soon as possible. This could be the difference in a healthy outcome or multiple misdiagnoses that would end up costing more financially either for the patient themselves or for the taxpayers of Kentucky.

“Treatment options change rapidly, therefore physicians or other clinicians that do not treat HIV/AIDS as a specialty would be hard pressed to know the best treatment options for their patients infected with this disease,” stated Bobby Edelen, president of the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group.

To compound the issue, Kentucky lawmakers allowed the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program to expire. “The fact that the Commonwealth also stopped funding the low-income Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program in 2007 is inhumane, shortsighted, and threatens individual and public health,” stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

Gary L. Fowler, a special adviser to the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group, and Co-Chair of the Kentucky HIV Prevention Advisory Council (KHPAC) stated: “I would like to point out that surveillance training is necessary for us to have the best information available to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. Kentucky has a high number of people infected with the disease that report unknown risk factors. If we do not have accurate numbers for who is being infected and what their behavioral risk factors are, we do not have a clear picture of where we need to target our prevention dollars.”

Edelen continued: “House Bill 350 does a disservice to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky by lowering healthcare standards for service providers and should be defeated. The citizens of this great Commonwealth deserve the best representation from their lawmakers to ensure the quality of healthcare is held to a higher standard than ‘minimum’ and enforced with every protection under the law.”

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KHAAG and Kentucky Equality Federation will continue to monitor House Bill 350 and take appropriate action(s) should the Committee pass the legislation to the House floor.