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HIV Meds Access Campaign

HIV Meds Access Campaign. Members of Congress have offices located in their home states. U.S. Senators have offices located throughout their state U.S. Representatives may have one or more offices in their district

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HIV Meds Access Campaign

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  1. HIV Meds Access Campaign

  2. Members of Congress have offices located in their home states. • U.S. Senators have offices located throughout their state • U.S. Representatives may have one or more offices in their district • Constituents – the people who live in the area represented by the Member – can set up meetings to discuss important topics with the Member or their staff. • When these meetings take place in the Member’s home state – they’re called in-district meetings.

  3. *Note: residents of Washington, D.C. and U.S. territories are represented by non-voting delegates

  4. Use the worksheet available at doseofchange.org to help you develop your talking points. We’ll have more resources available soon!

  5. According to the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) – as of March 10, 2011 there were over 7,200 individuals on ADAP waiting lists in 11 states.

  6. States are also being forced to control costs by doing things such as • Limiting the number of people who can enroll • Making income requirements more restrictive • Covering fewer kinds of medications • Forcing clients to share more of the cost through co-pays

  7. Use the Tell Your Story Worksheet to get organized. Available at doseofchange.org • Be sure to define what ADAP – many members and staff won’t be familiar with the program. • Make the connection between the issues and your personal story • Tell how your life has been affected by ADAP or will be affected by reduced or inadequate services.

  8. ADAP programs are jointly funded by state and federal dollars and administered by individual states, so programs vary from state to state • The more specific information on your state’s program you can share, the more your members of congress will listen: • Does your state have a wait list? • Has your state instituted other cost-containment measures? • You can find out more about your state’s ADAP program by contacting your state health department or online at the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Director’s website: www.nastad.org

  9. Here are some sample messages: • ADAP waiting lists for HIV medications will cause people with HIV across the nation to become needlessly sick and die. • ADAP waiting lists will worsen existing racial and economic health disparities.

  10. HIV treatment keeps people and communities healthier– enhancing public health and reducing reliance on public disability insurance. • ADAP allows people to stay healthy enough to work, pay taxes, and contribute to the economy.

  11. If you are making the visit with a group of advocates, divide the topics among the group and practice delivering them together. • If you are on your own, find a friend to stand-in as the legislator to help you rehearse. • REMEMBER: Tell your story and DON’T FORGET TO MAKE THE POLICY ASK!

  12. Meeting Day Checklist: • Dress professionally • Bring copies of factsheets • Arrive 15 minutes early • Be polite and courteous • Take note of any questions or requests for additional information • Remember to thank the Congressperson or staffer for their time • Tell them you will follow-up

  13. At the end of your meeting, tell the Congressperson or staffer that you will follow up with them soon • Send a thank you card to reiterate your ask and show your appreciation • Send them the additional information they requested and/or answers to their questions • Check in with the regional organizer in your area to let them know how things went!

  14. Questions?

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