HIV Speaks on Jones Street: NC HIV & Hepatitis Advocacy Day

On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, the North Carolina AIDS Action Network (NCAAN) hosted its annual HIV Speaks on Jones Street event.  This year, there were two issues chosen to advocate for in the NC General Assembly.  The two issues included:

1. Allocate an increased appropriation of $900,000 to the Communicable Disease Branch of the NC Division of Public Health, and
2. Close the Medicaid coverage gap (NCAAN, HIV Speaks, 2019).

Although there has been progress made in addressing both HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV), there is still progress to be made.  Because a suppressed HIV viral load can prevent transmission through sexual contact, it is important that individuals living with HIV have access to medications (NCAAN, HIV Speaks, 2019).  It is also important that individuals who are HIV negative protect themselves.  One option is the use of PrEP, which is a medication that can help decrease the likelihood of contracting HIV.  Fifty percent of the 100,000 individuals living with HCV in North Carolina have yet to receive a diagnosis (NCAAN, HIV Speaks, 2019).  There is a need for testing for both HIV and HCV, HIV prevention and HCV treatment.  These needs were the basis for asking the NC General Assembly for $900,000 for the Communicable Disease Branch of the NC Division of Public Health to provide and support these services.

The expansion of Medicaid was the other issue advocated for.  Of the 400,000 people in North Carolina who would qualify for and obtain coverage through the expansion, more than 5,000 of those are currently living with HIV (NCAAN, Closing the Medicaid coverage gap, 2019).  Providing individuals would not only allow them to access needed healthcare services, but would also assist in combating the opioid epidemic by providing access to substance abuse and mental health treatment and services and boosting local economy by creating new jobs, increasing business activity and decreasing healthcare costs that are currently not being paid for, particularly in rural areas (NCAAN, Closing the Medicaid coverage gap, 2019).

On Tuesday, many advocates from different parts of the state met with state senators and representatives to garner support for these issues.  Support was expressed by some legislators concerning the issues.  Mike Woodard, Zack Hawkins, and Marcia Morey all expressed support while others and I met with each of them.  Jeremy Collins, the Director of the Office of Public Engagement in the Governor's Office, also expressed support when welcoming the advocates to the event.  Advocates, those who have been infected and those who have been affected, shared information and stories as to how the issues have impacted them.  There is much more work to be done in order for changes to be made.  In order for those in North Carolina to contact their state senators and representatives and express their support for these issues, check out www.ncleg.gov to find who represents your area.  Although this website is for North Carolina, there are other states that still have not expanded Medicaid.  Access to healthcare is still an issue within the United States and should be considered an important issue.


#NCHIV
#NCGA

NCAAN. (2019)  Closing the Medicaid Coverage Gap.  North Carolina AIDS Action Network.

NCAAN. (2019)  HIV Speaks on Jones Street:  NC HIV & Hepatitis Advocacy Day.  North Carolina AIDS Action Network.