Every year when the state legislature convenes, Lifelong’s policy advocates make an immediate impact on our state’s laws and bring our legislators’ attention to the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in Washington State.
2008 State Legislative Priorities
For the estimated 11,000-13,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Washington State, access to medications and nutrition supporting their health, and elimination of stigma and discrimination are crucial. For everyone in Washington State, accurate and comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention messages are essential. Lifelong AIDS Alliance, the largest AIDS Service Organization in the Northwest, recommends four vital policy change priorities for the 2008 Washington State Legislative session.
Abstinence-Only Sex Ed Hinders HIV/AIDS Prevention Efforts
In 2004 4,883 young people in U.S. received an HIV or AIDS diagnosis, representing about 13% of the diagnosed, while four million more teens contracted another Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). In 2007 Washington State Legislature recognized the alarming trend of STD incidence increase in youth and passed the Healthy Youth Act, mandating that all sexuality education taught in public schools be comprehensive and medically accurate. However, Under Washington State law the WA Department of Health is required to apply for ineffective, disproven Title V abstinence-only-until-marriage funding from the federal government, and provide a 75% match for these dollars. The requirement to apply for Title V funding hinders our Department of Health from promoting proven, accurate, science-based programs that help reduce rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
In light of their proven failure and the potential harm abstinence-only programs cause young people, Lifelong respectfully asks that the Legislature no longer mandate Department of Health to receive Title V funds, and approve HB 2698 and SB 6305.
Domestic Partnership Rights & Responsibilities Expansion - Vital Protection for LGBTQ Families Impacted by HIV/AIDS
The domestic partnership bill passed last year immediately provided very limited, but important basic protections for same-sex couples. Our state is now 3,200 families stronger thanks to the legal commitment made possible through domestic partnerships.
This year’s legislation seeks to expand domestic partnership rights and responsibilities in areas of financial security – specifically in matters concerning jointly owned property and joint responsibility for debts. It would grant 174 of the 480 rights and responsibilities that married couples have, including those associated with:
• Nursing home visitation
• Veterans benefits
• Community property
• Probate and trust
• Testimonial privilege
• Campaign finance disclosure
• Guardianship and power of attorney
Lifelong supports the efforts of the LGBTQ community to expand benefits available through the domestic partnership registry and encourages the Legislature to pass HB 3104 and SB 6716.
Seamless Access to Life-Saving Medications
Every barrier to medication deters the effectiveness of expensive HIV/AIDS drug treatments. Antiretroviral therapy requires 95% adherence and allows many people living with HIV/AIDS to live productive, healthy lives. Given the social and moral stigma still surrounding HIV/AIDS, giving pharmacists a license to refuse their services to HIV positive clients threatens the lives and health of people living with HIV/AIDS in Washington State. Washingtonians living in rural areas, where discrimination occurs more frequently and services are scarcer, would especially be impacted. Allowing pharmacist to refuse their services further subjects HIV positive clients to discrimination based on their status and perceived sexual orientation. Such practices are already banned under Washington State law. People living with HIV/AIDS deserve a warranty that those choosing to work in the health care field will grant them a harassment free, seamless access to life-saving medications.
Lifelong believes pharmacists should make decisions to dispense medications based on best practices in medicine, not based on religion or morality, and encourages the Legislature to approve SB 6189 and reject SB 6361.
Local Farms and Healthier Communities: Proper Nutrition Increases Health Outcomes among Low-Income Chronically Ill Individuals
Washington’s food bank system is facing inadequate supply of food—particularly food with high nutritional value. Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Washington Environmental Council, Anti-Hunger Nutrition Coalition, Food Lifeline and Northwest Harvest are among organizations supporting an effort to fund a pilot strategy to address hunger in Washington and create new markets for local farmers.
• Farmers To Food Banks Pilot Project establishes a statewide fund generating local fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat products for local food banks and community programs serving vulnerable populations at increased risk for hunger and nutrition deprivation.
• Project goal is to inject a substantial amount of nutrient rich products into Washington’s emergency food system, while creating a new market for local farmers, thereby strengthening the agricultural economy and helping to preserve farmland.
• Project delivers health improvements among low-income chronically ill people, strengthens local agriculture and preserves farmland, while decreasing environmental impact of food transport.
Lifelong AIDS Alliance supports the Local farms-Healthy Kids and Communities Act and urges the Legislature to enact HB 2798 and SB 6483.
Medical Nutrition Therapy Project Update
In 2007 state elected officials invested $500,000 in an innovative, cost-effective chronic illness treatment spearheaded by the HIV/AIDS community. The Legislature allocated funding to launch a study to document enormous public health benefits and Medicaid cost savings from an expansion of comprehensive nutrition care, including medical nutrition therapy. After the study is complete, Lifelong AIDS Alliance will make a case for statewide application of the program.
During the 2008 legislative session Lifelong will formally update the State Legislature on the progress of the MNT study
For more information, please contact Ania Beszterda, Lead Policy & Community Advocate, at (206) 957-1611 & mailto:aniab@llaa.org