PRESS RELEASES
Read the newest press releases in our news room and keep up to date on what is going on in Washington!
Though great progress has been made, the HIV/AIDS crisis is far from over. Equal Rights Washington supports the following positions held by the Communities in Action Network (CAN) and Lifelong AIDS Alliance.
HIV PREVENTION
Retention of Washington’s leading edge AIDS Omnibus law which focuses prevention resources where they are most needed.
Improved coordination and collaboration between state agencies for HIV prevention among substance abuse and mental health service providers.
Legislation expanding access to substance abuse treatment services, particularly methadone treatment, and the removal of substance abuse treatment enrollment caps.
The active monitoring of compliance with state regulations that require that pregnant women be informed of their right to choose whether to consent to HIV testing.
Comprehensive, medically accurate sexuality education.
Efforts to offer anonymous and confidential HIV tests to inmates of the State Department of Corrections.
Opposing efforts to repeal or weaken comprehensive, factually based HIV/AIDS curricula in public schools.
CARE SERVICES
An effort to ensure that treatment is readily available to HIV-positive individuals regardless of ability to pay.
Efforts to expand affordable and comprehensive insurance access, including prescription drug coverage benefits to all Washington residents whether through public (WSHIP, Medicaid, EIP, EHIP) or private programs.
Efforts to require that persons with HIV infection who seek treatment through a PPO or an HMO be referred to a healthcare provider with an HIV Specialty Certification.
Efforts to ensure that minors fourteen years of age or older continue to have access to confidential HIV counseling, testing, and care services as stipulated in the AIDS Omnibus Act.
Comprehensive, client-centered care provision to people co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C.
Opposing efforts to weaken or repeal the state’s law permitting the use of medical marijuana.
Opposing legislation that limits or denies public assistance to groups or individuals at risk for or living with HIV disease, including immigrants and undocumented aliens.
FUNDING
Increased funding for the HIV Early Intervention Program to maintain service levels.
Increased funding for HIV prevention programs through the AIDS Omnibus Act to meet the expanding needs of communities affected by HIV/AIDS and to offset inflationary pressures.
Efforts to ensure the state’s compliance with Ryan White CARE Act maintenance of effort requirements.
Strong accountability standards and community input regarding the distribution and allocation of AIDS Omnibus funds including clear performance measures and guidelines.
Increased funding for substance abuse residential treatment services and HIV prevention funding that targets alcohol and substance abuse programs and mental health services.
State and local efforts to provide comprehensive housing resources for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Continued access to anonymous HIV testing throughout the state.
Collaborative partner notification efforts that respect an individual’s right to choose whether to seek assistance from health officials when notifying partners of potential exposure.
Opposing efforts to weaken the privacy protections of the state’s HIV reporting regulations.
Opposing efforts to eliminate specific consent for HIV testing.
Opposing mandatory testing for any group at risk, or perceived to be at risk for HIV including incarcerated populations, pregnant women, and newborns.
Opposing legislation that would require mandatory disclosure of HIV status, expand the criminalization of HIV transmission, remove due process protections, or damage confidentiality protections.
Equal Rights Washington (ERW) works to ensure and promote dignity, safety, and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Washingtonians.
