As most of you know, trans folk have some of the highest HIV infection and unemployment rates. Most you also know that if you’re HIV+, you MUST take your HIV medication or else you will die. I’m guessing that many of you have lost loved ones to AIDS… I know I have.
Texas Republicans are proposing to end the Texas HIV drug assistance program.
- Over 14,000 Texans are currently enrolled in the Texas AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
- Since it was started in 1987, it’s served over 45,000 people.
- 20 million is needed to maintain the program as it stands today.
- Texas has a $9.4 billion “rainy day fund” that Texas Republicans could dip into to fun the ADAP program… but they don’t want to do it.
- 43% of new ADAP applicants have ZERO income.
- 73% of new ADAP applicants are living at more than 100% of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Texas Republicans are working hard to shut down ADAP.
Recently, there was an emergency town hall meeting about this and today there was a huge protest on the steps of Houston City Hall… where a tea bag Republican grabbed me and my camera and attempted to pull the telescopic lens off it while pushing me around (yes, that’s assault). Additionally, another tea bag Republican rushed the stage in an effort to assault the speaker.
Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkpHqX_dh3w
The grandfather of the GLBT movement, Ray Hill said: “Yes, I saw much of the attack (from a safe distance) KPFT’s mike stand was broken and a microphone damaged – the attacker was arrested and is subject to several assault charges and a damage civil case.”
Texas Republicans are attempting to end the program that helps pay for expensive HIV medications. Currently, 14,000 Texans rely upon this program. Without taking HIV medication, every one of the 14,000 people will die. South Carolina Republicans already ended their HIV medication assistance program and Texas Republicans want to follow suit. Most insurance will not cover the total cost of HIV medication – which can cost more than what many make in an entire month.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Rate, comment, share and mirror the above video along with this info about what can be done. The media just isn’t covering this issue… so that leaves social media.
- Call the Texas Department of State Health Services and tell them to save the program: 1-800-255-1090.
- Send a fax a Texas Rep a letter telling them to FULLY FUND THE TEXAS HIV DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: http://tinyurl.com/FAXforHIV
- Get 5 friends to do the same!
Join the Texas HIV Coalition on FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_108512622550310 - Forward this message – PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT!
A penny wise and a pound foolish: taking away HIV medications is the most expensive option open to Texas Republicans and they think it’s the right thing to do! The State of Texas is able to negotiate deeply discounted rates at a cost of about 6,500 per year which would otherwise cost 26,000 per year. Once thousands of people begin getting sick, they will wind up in the ER and/or hospice care facilities costing Texas far more than it currently costs for this program.
Transgender HIV info:
http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/pdf/FS-Transgender-06192007.pdf
