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Advocate, This
is YOUR MAP Advocate!
April 22, 2003
Vol. 9 No. 9
In This Issue:
* Take Action! Call your State Senator. Tell them you support
comprehensive sexual health education
* Senate Omnibus Bills Take Shape this Week
* House Budget Committees Call it a Wrap
* Omnibus or "Ominous" - Watch for Politics in Budget Bill Debates
* New Numbers Define HIV in Minnesota
* Administration Plan Appears to Turn Back Clock on HIV Prevention
* Federal Push to Replace Science with Ideology Continues
* Hyde Bill for African Aid Fails to Satisfy Conservatives
Take Action! Call your State Senator. Tell them you support
comprehensive sexual health education
Perhaps the most crucial vote on sex education is going to take place
on the floor of the Minnesota Senate sometime during the week of April
28. While Senate education committee leaders support clearly
establishing comprehensive, technically accurate curriculum as the
standard for HIV and STI prevention education, others backed by the
Minnesota Family Council will try to get the full Senate to accept an
abstinence-until-marriage/condoms-don't-work approach.
Now is the time to place a phone call or click an email to your State
Senator urging her or him to hold firm in support of Minnesota's
current mandate for comprehensive, technically accurate sexual health
education in schools, and to oppose abstinence-until-marriage
mandates.
To identify your state senator, go to:
http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=02vxoeRSUgHiAbd_sxqAZA..
Senate Omnibus Bills Take Shape this Week
They're called "omnibus bills" because they include almost everything
the legislature has been working on since January in terms of policy
changes and budgeting. MAP is watching the E-12 omnibus bill to make
sure it includes a provision clearly establishing inclusive and
comprehensive sexual health education as the standard for teaching
about HIV and STI prevention.
Though chances appear slim, MAP is still pushing Senate leaders to
reinstate funding for the five HIV/STI regional training sites that
serve school districts throughout the state.
MAP is also working to get renewed funding for HIV workplace education
included in the Senate's jobs and economic bill.
Big questions still hang over how the Senate will address managing the
impact of escalating health care costs on the state's health and human
services budget.
We'll keep up-to-date information on the MAP Web site as committees
finish work on these bills through the coming week.
To visit our Web site, click here:
http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=jVtmbofd_QriAbd_sxqAZA..
House Budget Committees Called it a Wrap
The House's "omnibus budget" bills were wrapped-up before the
legislature broke for the holidays. The House education finance bill
includes an abstinence-until-marriage curriculum mandate for all
school districts. The same committee turned back a proposal by Rep.
Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) to continue funding for the HIV/STI
regional training sites.
The health and human services funding bill includes numerous
provisions that will reduce access to health coverage for low-income
individuals and families. The bill also includes provisions that may
limit access to pharmaceutical treatments. [Keep an eye on the MAP
Web Site "Bill Tracker" for more information.]
Despite efforts by Rep. Karen Clark [DFL-Mpls] to continue funding for
HIV workplace education, no dollars were included for this service in
the jobs and economic development committee.
Next stop for each of these bills is the House Ways & Means Committee,
then the House floor, and then on to conference committee to work out
differences between the House and Senate omnibus bills.
Go to the MAP Bill Tracker:
http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=yp0LYe0MsyjiAbd_sxqAZA..
Omnibus or "Ominous" Watch for Politics in Budget Bill Debates
Political shenanigans kick into high gear when the House and Senate
start to debate the omnibus budget bills. The high profile floor
debates on these bills tend to bring out hot button issues in the form
of budget bill amendments.
MAP is on watch for amendments in the House to restrict HIV prevention
funding for groups that "promote" homosexuality and one to restrict
minors' confidential access to sexual health or substance abuse
services. An attempt to get the abstinence-until-marriage mandate
added to the Senate's education budget bill is also likely.
Advocates should watch the health and human services and the E-12
education bills closely when the come up for floor debates over the
coming week or so.
Regular visits to the MAP Web site are encouraged:
http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=jVtmbofd_QriAbd_sxqAZA..
New Numbers Define HIV Epidemic in Minnesota
The number of new HIV cases reported in Minnesota rose 6 percent in
2002, a more dramatic bump in new cases compared to recent year's 1 or
2 percent increases. Gay and bisexual men continue to represent the
majority of new cases and two-thirds of those already living with HIV.
Notably, 20 percent of the new infections were among African-born
Minnesotans and 20 percent were among African Americans.
The percentage of new cases reported in the suburban Twin Cities,
particularly the western suburbs continues to grow, going from 30
percent in 2001 to 35 percent in 2002.
Click here: http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA..
more information about the 2002 epi figures released by the Minnesota
Department of Health on April 15.
Administration Plan Appears to Turn Back Clock on HIV Prevention
In an announcement made during the holiday weekend and as part of a
press conference on SARS, the CDC declared a dramatic change of
direction for national efforts to stop HIV. Setting aside its triple
track approach of education, helping people learn their status and
connecting those who test positive with care, the new CDC prevention
focus is going to concentrate on testing.
This new focus encourages testing outside of confidential care
environments and relating standards for education and counseling that
ensure informed consent and promote behavior change. It also suggests
that doctors can skip this part of the testing process.
It also redirects federal prevention dollars away from "prevention for
positives" programs that promote education and behavior change among
those living with HIV in favor of increased partner notification, and
emphasizes testing of pregnant women and newborns. The proposal, at
its core, includes many of the provisions of a so-called "prevention
bill" dismissed by Congress in 1998 and introduced by then-Rep. Tom
Coburn [R-OK] who now co-chairs the President's HIV advisory
commission.
Read more on MAP's Web site:
http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA..
Federal Push to Replace Science with Ideology Continues
A recent New York Times article reported that HIV researchers are
getting pressure from federal grant officials to "tone down" the
controversial nature of their requests for research grants.
Researchers are being advised not to use terms like "men who sleep
with men," "sex workers," or "anal sex" in their research proposals.
The effect is to silence and redirect research away from core parts of
the HIV epidemic.
This is on the heels of the Bush Administration also setting aside the
Healthy People 2010 report in favor of a new health promotion agenda
for the nation. The move shelves aspects of the 2010 report such as a
plan to address GLBT health needs as part of the national health
research and health promotion agenda.
Read the NYT article here:
http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=iyyqNCLod13iAbd_sxqAZA..
Hyde Bill for African Aid Fails to Satisfy Conservatives
Rep. Henry Hyde [R-IL] recently led a bi-partisan effort in the U.S.
House of Representatives to craft a plan for implementing the $15
billion African AIDS initiative announced by the President in January.
The bill has come under fire by conservatives because it does not
press an abstinence education focus and promotes U.S. collective
action through the Global AIDS Fund. Representative Betty McCollum
[D-MN] helped draft the Hyde Bill.
On the Senate side, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman [R-MN] is leading the
committee responsible for drafting a Senate plan. It is MAP's hope
that the bi-partisan, results-oriented plan set forth in the Hyde bill
and not ideology-driven proposals will be reflected in the bill that
comes out of the Coleman committee.
Learn more about MAP's role in this global epidemic:
http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=rMJCxMDAyfniAbd_sxqAZA..
MAP Advocate is published by the Minnesota AIDS Project every two
weeks while the Minnesota Legislature is in session, and monthly
during the rest of the year. It is available through the MAP Web site
and through email list service. If you wish to order the MAP
Advocate, visit the MAP Web site or contact MAP Public Policy by phone
or e-mail.
If you have a comment, please contact MAP Public Policy by phone or
email.
MAP Public Policy
Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-341-2060
800-373-2437
MAP Public Policy Email Address: [log in to unmask]
mailto:[log in to unmask]
MAP Home Page: http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA..
To unsubscribe from all future e-mail, paste the following URL into your browser:
http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/CO?i=hpFXnU0IoR_4Ovh1poGYlI8uFizeWeKm
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<P class=subheading>Advocate, This is YOUR MAP Advocate!</P>
<P><SPAN class=subheading>April 22, 2003<BR>Vol. 9 No. 9</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN class=subheading></SPAN>In This Issue:</P>
<UL>
<LI>Take Action! Call your State Senator. Tell them you support comprehensive sexual health education</LI>
<LI>Senate Omnibus Bills Take Shape this Week</LI>
<LI>House Budget Committees Call it a Wrap</LI>
<LI>Omnibus or "Ominous" - Watch for Politics in Budget Bill Debates</LI>
<LI>New Numbers Define HIV in Minnesota</LI>
<LI>Administration Plan Appears to Turn Back Clock on HIV Prevention</LI>
<LI>Federal Push to Replace Science with Ideology Continues</LI>
<LI>Hyde Bill for African Aid Fails to Satisfy Conservatives</LI></UL>
<P class=subheading>Take Action! Call your State Senator. Tell them you support comprehensive sexual health education</P>
<P>Perhaps the most crucial vote on sex education is going to take place on the floor of the Minnesota Senate sometime during the week of April 28. While Senate education committee leaders support clearly establishing comprehensive, technically accurate curriculum as the standard for HIV and STI prevention education, others backed by the Minnesota Family Council will try to get the full Senate to accept an abstinence-until-marriage/condoms-don't-work approach. </P>
<P>Now is the time to place a phone call or click an email to your State Senator urging her or him to hold firm in support of Minnesota's current mandate for comprehensive, technically accurate sexual health education in schools, and to oppose abstinence-until-marriage mandates.</P>
<P>To identify your state senator, go to: <A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=02vxoeRSUgHiAbd_sxqAZA..">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=02vxoeRSUgHiAbd_sxqAZA..</A></P>
<P class=subheading>Senate Omnibus Bills Take Shape this Week</P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">They're called "omnibus bills" because they include almost everything the legislature has been working on since January in terms of policy changes and budgeting. MAP is watching the E-12 omnibus bill to make sure it includes a provision clearly establishing inclusive and comprehensive sexual health education as the standard for teaching about HIV and STI prevention. </P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">Though chances appear slim, MAP is still pushing Senate leaders to reinstate funding for the five HIV/STI regional training sites that serve school districts throughout the state. </P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">MAP is also working to get renewed funding for HIV workplace education included in the Senate's jobs and economic bill. </P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">Big questions still hang over how the Senate will address managing the impact of escalating health care costs on the state's health and human services budget. </P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">We'll keep up-to-date information on the MAP Web site as committees finish work on these bills through the coming week. </P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">To visit our Web site, click here: <A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=jVtmbofd_QriAbd_sxqAZA.." title="MAP Public Policy">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=jVtmbofd_QriAbd_sxqAZA..</A></P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN class=subheading>House Budget Committees Called it a Wrap</SPAN></P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">The House's "omnibus budget" bills were wrapped-up before the legislature broke for the holidays. The House education finance bill includes an abstinence-until-marriage curriculum mandate for all school districts. The same committee turned back a proposal by Rep. Mindy Greiling (DFL-Roseville) to continue funding for the HIV/STI regional training sites. </P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">The health and human services funding bill includes numerous provisions that will reduce access to health coverage for low-income individuals and families. The bill also includes provisions that may limit access to pharmaceutical treatments. [Keep an eye on the MAP Web Site "Bill Tracker" for more information.] </P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">Despite efforts by Rep. Karen Clark [DFL-Mpls] to continue funding for HIV workplace education, no dollars were included for this service in the jobs and economic development committee. </P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">Next stop for each of these bills is the House Ways & Means Committee, then the House floor, and then on to conference committee to work out differences between the House and Senate omnibus bills.</P>
<P style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">Go to the MAP Bill Tracker: <A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=yp0LYe0MsyjiAbd_sxqAZA..">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=yp0LYe0MsyjiAbd_sxqAZA..</A></P>
<P class=subheading style="mso-layout-grid-align: none">Omnibus or "Ominous" Watch for Politics in Budget Bill Debates</P>
<P>Political shenanigans kick into high gear when the House and Senate start to debate the omnibus budget bills. The high profile floor debates on these bills tend to bring out hot button issues in the form of budget bill amendments. </P>
<P>MAP is on watch for amendments in the House to restrict HIV prevention funding for groups that "promote" homosexuality and one to restrict minors' confidential access to sexual health or substance abuse services. An attempt to get the abstinence-until-marriage mandate added to the Senate's education budget bill is also likely. </P>
<P>Advocates should watch the health and human services and the E-12 education bills closely when the come up for floor debates over the coming week or so. </P>
<P>Regular visits to the MAP Web site are encouraged: <BR><A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=jVtmbofd_QriAbd_sxqAZA.." title="MAP Public Policy">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=jVtmbofd_QriAbd_sxqAZA..</A></P>
<P class=subheading>New Numbers Define HIV Epidemic in Minnesota</P>
<P>The number of new HIV cases reported in Minnesota rose 6 percent in 2002, a more dramatic bump in new cases compared to recent year's 1 or 2 percent increases. Gay and bisexual men continue to represent the majority of new cases and two-thirds of those already living with HIV. </P>
<P>Notably, 20 percent of the new infections were among African-born Minnesotans and 20 percent were among African Americans. </P>
<P>The percentage of new cases reported in the suburban Twin Cities, particularly the western suburbs continues to grow, going from 30 percent in 2001 to 35 percent in 2002. </P>
<P>Click here: <A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA.." title="Minnesota AIDS Project Home Page">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA..</A> more information about the 2002 epi figures released by the Minnesota Department of Health on April 15.</P>
<P class=subheading>Administration Plan Appears to Turn Back Clock on HIV Prevention</P>
<P>In an announcement made during the holiday weekend and as part of a press conference on SARS, the CDC declared a dramatic change of direction for national efforts to stop HIV. Setting aside its triple track approach of education, helping people learn their status and connecting those who test positive with care, the new CDC prevention focus is going to concentrate on testing. </P>
<P>This new focus encourages testing outside of confidential care environments and relating standards for education and counseling that ensure informed consent and promote behavior change. It also suggests that doctors can skip this part of the testing process. </P>
<P>It also redirects federal prevention dollars away from "prevention for positives" programs that promote education and behavior change among those living with HIV in favor of increased partner notification, and emphasizes testing of pregnant women and newborns. The proposal, at its core, includes many of the provisions of a so-called "prevention bill" dismissed by Congress in 1998 and introduced by then-Rep. Tom Coburn [R-OK] who now co-chairs the President's HIV advisory commission. </P>
<P>Read more on MAP's Web site: <A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA.." title="Minnesota AIDS Project Home Page">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA..</A></P>
<P class=subheading>Federal Push to Replace Science with Ideology Continues</P>
<P>A recent New York Times article reported that HIV researchers are getting pressure from federal grant officials to "tone down" the controversial nature of their requests for research grants. Researchers are being advised not to use terms like "men who sleep with men," "sex workers," or "anal sex" in their research proposals. The effect is to silence and redirect research away from core parts of the HIV epidemic. </P>
<P>This is on the heels of the Bush Administration also setting aside the Healthy People 2010 report in favor of a new health promotion agenda for the nation. The move shelves aspects of the 2010 report such as a plan to address GLBT health needs as part of the national health research and health promotion agenda. </P>
<P>Read the NYT article here: <A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=iyyqNCLod13iAbd_sxqAZA..">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=iyyqNCLod13iAbd_sxqAZA..</A></P>
<P class=subheading>Hyde Bill for African Aid Fails to Satisfy Conservatives</P>
<P>Rep. Henry Hyde [R-IL] recently led a bi-partisan effort in the U.S. House of Representatives to craft a plan for implementing the $15 billion African AIDS initiative announced by the President in January. The bill has come under fire by conservatives because it does not press an abstinence education focus and promotes U.S. collective action through the Global AIDS Fund. Representative Betty McCollum [D-MN] helped draft the Hyde Bill. </P>
<P>On the Senate side, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman [R-MN] is leading the committee responsible for drafting a Senate plan. It is MAP's hope that the bi-partisan, results-oriented plan set forth in the Hyde bill and not ideology-driven proposals will be reflected in the bill that comes out of the Coleman committee. </P>
<P>Learn more about MAP's role in this global epidemic: <A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=rMJCxMDAyfniAbd_sxqAZA.." title="MAP Global Response">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=rMJCxMDAyfniAbd_sxqAZA..</A></P>
<P> </P>
<P><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 90%">MAP Advocate is published by the Minnesota AIDS Project every two weeks while the Minnesota Legislature is in session, and monthly during the rest of the year. It is available through the MAP Web site and through email list service. If you wish to order the MAP Advocate, visit the MAP Web site or contact MAP Public Policy by phone or e-mail.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 90%">If you have a comment, please contact MAP Public Policy by phone or email.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 90%">MAP Public Policy<BR>Minnesota AIDS Project<BR>1400 Park Avenue<BR>Minneapolis, MN 55404</FONT></P>
<P><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 90%">612-341-2060<BR>800-373-2437</FONT></P>
<P><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 90%">MAP Public Policy Email Address: </FONT><A href="mailto:[log in to unmask]" title="MAP Community Affairs Email Address"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 90%">[log in to unmask]</FONT></A><BR><BR><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 90%">MAP Home Page: </FONT><A href="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA.." title="Minnesota AIDS Project Home Page"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 90%">http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/R?i=NWbX_yTjQW7iAbd_sxqAZA..</FONT></A></P><img src="http://register.mnaidsproject.org/site/PixelServer?j=01zo9aCnXd3iAbd_sxqAZA.." height="1" width="1">
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