Title: Advocacy, Policy and Legislation -- What You Can Do To Make A Difference
Author:
Section/SPIG: HIV/AIDS
Issue Date:
Everyone who works in the HIV/AIDS field and/or who is living with HIV needs to find a way to become an advocate in whatever way is most comfortable for them. Fortunately, there is an abundance of effective ways to make a difference. I'll talk about some things you can do by working with APHA, but I encourage you to seek opportunities for advocacy at the local and state level as well.
Advocacy:
APHA periodically sends out member alerts urging us to "Take Action." Even though the topic may not be HIV/AIDS specific, many health care issues relate to HIV/AIDS in one way or another -- including prevention and education, care and treatment, Medicaid and, unfortunately, even Hurricane Katrina. If you go to the HIV/AIDS Section's Web site at <www.aphahiv.org>, you will see a link to Advocacy on the left side of the home page. From there you will find a number of ways to "take action," such as through APHA's Legislative Action Center, Advocacy and Policy section, Medicaid Advocacy Center and APHA's Legislative Advocacy Network. See how you can get involved by writing or calling your legislators. And while you're on APHA's site, check out nearby pages for other ways to get involved.
There are a number of sessions scheduled in Philadelphia centering on Advocacy. If you go to: <www.apha.org/legislative/sponsoredAdvocacysessions.pdf>, you can see what is scheduled and go to a session that will help in your advocacy work.
Policy:
You can also make a difference within APHA by helping write and/or approve policies. I encourage people who plan to attend the Annual meeting in Philadelphia to check out APHA's public hearings on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. [Session #'s 254, 255, 256 and 257]. They are an open forum for exploration, discussion and debate on proposed policies for the year. This year the HIV/AIDS Section, in collaboration with other Sections/Units, has submitted Sexuality Education in K-12 Schools. Information regarding this proposed policy can be found by logging in at the "Members Only" section of the home page, then by going to the 2005 policies and "Group C." I encourage you to drop by the hearings and catch some of the discussion.
Legislation:
As I'm sure most of you know, this is a critical time period for the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act -- with regard to its content, intent and level of funding. Equally important is what happens to Medicaid. APHA has prepared a very timely and important paper entitled, Medicaid, Prevention and Public Health: Invest Today for a Healthier Tomorrow – go to <www.apha.org/legislative/legislative/Medicaid.htm> under "What's New" to look at the paper and to obtain an updated Medicaid Backgrounder for APHA members. HIV/AIDS needs are addressed throughout the paper.
Education + Action = Advocacy. The main job of an advocate is to educate policy-makers and the public. As public health professionals and HIV activists, we have information that policy-makers need.
Please remember that HIV issues serve as a paradigm for challenges faced by Public Health everyday.
Let’s TAKE ACTION in 2006!