Couldn't get to Springfield? You can still advocate!

TAKE ACTION: Ask Lawmakers to Invest in HIV-Related Healthcare, Prevention, and Testing

Calls are needed TODAY to state senators and representatives to urge them to support initiatives to expand healthcare, drug overdose prevention, and HIV testing, without diminishing important patient protections against involuntary testing. If you don't know who represents you in the Illinois House and Senate, enter your address at http://www.vote-smart.org.

LEAVE THIS MESSAGE: "I'm a constituent calling to ask you to support three items: 1) a $2 million appropriation in the FY ’09 budget to expand HIV testing in medical settings; 2) Vote yes on SB 1925, which would provide health insurance for very low-income people, including people with HIV; and 3) vote yes on SB 2155, which will save the lives of injection drug users by expanding prescription of a drug that reverses drug overdoses."

BACKGROUND: More than 160 advocates from across the state gathered in Springfield April 2 for the 8th Annual Illinois HIV/AIDS Lobby Days. Building on a “Mission: Possible ” theme, the two action-packed days of events highlighted practical measures state lawmakers can take to advance the anti-HIV agenda. Proudly sporting “Mission: Possible” t-shirts, Agent Advocates asked General Assembly members to support sound HIV/AIDS policy in the 2008 Illinois legislative session.

AIDS advocates from across the Illinois gathered in Sprinfield to ask State legislators for their support on these specific issues:

• Secure healthcare coverage for all low-income Illinoisans, including people living with HIV/AIDS. READ FACTSHEET
• Expand access to naloxone—a safe, effective, and low-cost prescription drug used to reverse overdoses caused by drugs such as heroin, methadone or OxyContin. READ FACTSHEET
• Provide increased funding for voluntary HIV testing in healthcare settings to link undiagnosed individuals to HIV-related medical care and support services. READ FACTSHEET

HIV/AIDS Lobby Days was made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Carolyn Grisko & Associates, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, Orasure Technologies, and Pfizer Inc. Our thanks to them for making this important event possible.

Read the 2008 Lobby Days Summary

LOBBY DAYS PRESS COVERAGE

The State Journal-Register

Rockford Register Star

Windy City Times


RELATED RESOURCES

See Photos from 2008 Lobby Days

2008 Policy Priorities

Summary of 3 Primary Mission: Possible Issues

Media Training PowerPoint Presentation

Tips on Speaking to your Legislator

FACTSHEETS

Expand healthcare coverage

Prevent Drug Overdoses

Expand HIV testing