Title: Your Input is Needed!

Author:

Section/SPIG: HIV/AIDS

Issue Date:

---

Feb. 14, 2005 is APHA's deadline for proposed new policy statements, on which the Governing Council will vote at the Annual Meeting in New Orleans this November. These new statements will be posted in March 2005 for online review by the entire APHA membership [likely to be located in the "green area" on APHA's home page, <www.apha.org>, under the area "Legislation, Advocacy and Policy" and probably listed as "2005 Proposed Policy Statements," or something close to that]. All members are encouraged to review these statements and submit feedback --- however the HIV Section would like to coordinate our feedback to have as much impact as possible when the statements are reviewed by the Joint Policy Committee. If there is a policy that catches your attention based on your interest and/or expertise, please review it for accuracy, inclusiveness as well as the recommendations. The guidelines for reviewing the statements will also be posted online.

Your comments can go directly to <policy@apha.org>, BUT, the HIV Section would appreciate a copy of what you send OR, please feel free to send your comments directly to us and we will bundle the feedback and submit them. The deadline for submitting comments is April 8, 2005. If you have any questions, or if you would like to send the HIV Section your response(s), please e-mail either Susan Fulmer at <fulmersl@dhec.sc.gov> or Kathye Gorosh at <kgorosh@corecenter.org>.

As I'm sure we all know, this is a critical year for HIV advocacy – at the federal, state and local levels. Funding and policy changes will affect everyone – so please watch for ways that you can be involved – whether it's through APHA or others asking us to write letters, place calls, sign on to letters, or participate in constituent visits. As we've learned, one vote can make a difference! Here's to a productive 2005!