Your Input Needed on Changes to Ohio HIV/AIDS services.

Public Input Sought on New Ohio Department of Health Guidelines.

We are seeking your input regarding an administrative change that would impact accessibility to medications for HIV-positive Ohioans.

Through January 23, 2012 the HIV Care Services Program at the Ohio Department of Health is seeking comment regarding proposed Rule 3701-44-03 http://www.odh.ohio.gov/rules/drafts/d3701-44.aspx that allows for greater flexibility in managing the Ryan White Part B Ohio HIV/AIDS Drug Assistance Program (OHDAP).

Of course, we are always advocating for sufficient funding to meet the needs of HIV-positive persons so that a waiting list will never be needed in Ohio again. The change would allow the use of medical criteria to triage the sickest and most medically vulnerable (based on CD4 counts and AIDS-defining illnesses) on a waiting list, should such a list become necessary again (no one is currently on a waiting list). These individuals would be prioritized to receive life-saving medications.

As part of this process, ODH is asking for your input!

AIDS Resource Center Ohio (ARC Ohio) and the Ohio AIDS Coalition (OAC) support the proposed change for these reasons:

• Those already in the OHDAP program WILL NOT be removed from the program.
• It is medically-sound. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health shows that lives can truly be saved by utilizing medical criteria to prioritize patients.
• The proposed medical criteria were developed by the Ohio Ryan White Part B Advisory Board, including leading HIV clinicians, specialists and service providers from across the state. The criteria are also based on the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Treatment Guidelines for HIV.

The period of public comment through January 23, 2012 provides you with a unique and limited opportunity to make a difference by letting your voice be heard.

ARC Ohio and OAC believe strongly in supporting the doctors and clinicians who are experts on HIV/AIDS, and we are therefore in support of Rule 3701-44-03, which gives greater freedom to prioritize incoming program participants according to medical criteria.

In order to comply with the Ohio Department of Health submission criteria you'll need to email them directly at hcs@odh.ohio.gov (Put “RULE CHANGE” in the subject line). Because this concerns the way your tax dollars are spent inside the State of Ohio when contacting them please make sure to include your name and the city in Ohio in which you reside. Emails do not need to be lengthy, consider simply stating "I agree with the proposed new rule that will give ODH greater freedom in administering Ohio's Ryan White Part B funding" or, alternately, "I have the following concerns..." will be sufficient for this part of the public comment process, along with any personal comments you may have.

If you have questions, please contact the Ohio AIDS Coalition (A division of ARC Ohio) for more information at 1-800-226-5554 or via email at info@ohioaidscoalition.org

President Obama Renews Commitment to Domestic HIV/AIDS Funding

Obama Administration announces $50 million in New Resources for Ryan White Programs

Thirty years after the first reported cases of HIV/AIDS, today, World AIDS Day, we take time to pause and remember those that we have lost in the fight against HIV/AIDS, to celebrate their lives and to advocate for the nearly 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States. In recognition of World AIDS Day, President Obama announced this morning the availability of $50 million in new resources for Ryan White Programs. $35 million will be allocated to support the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP- otherwise known in Ohio as OHDAP) and $15 million for Part C Programs across the United States.

Today’s announcement follows the recent speech and eloquent vision of an “AIDS-free generation” by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last month.”We applaud the Obama administration for today’s renewed commitment and action toward bringing an end to the HIV epidemic, commented Bill Hardy, CEO of AIDS Resource Center Ohio (ARC Ohio).

The Obama administration launched our nation’s first ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy in July 2010, a push to improve domestic HIV prevention and access to care. Thirty years into the HIV epidemic, recent HIV Incidence estimates indicate nearly 50,000 new infections annually in U.S. While overall incidence has stabilized, populations of gay bisexual men of all races and ethnicities continue to see a steady and unacceptable increase in HIV infection, with alarming rates among young gay and bisexual men of color.

“Looking toward the road ahead, we need a unified commitment, at the federal, local, and state level that addresses program and policy initiatives necessary for ending the HIV epidemic” commented Tyler Andrew TerMeer, Director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition - a Division of the AIDS Resource Center Ohio. TerMeer continued, “Advocates around the country today stand united calling for that renewed commitment. A commitment that means achieving the sum of zero. Zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.”

The $35 million in increased funding for ADAP will go to state ADAPs to support grants to states to help nearly 3,000individuals with HIV/AIDS access life-saving HIV/AIDS drugs. A distribution process for this funding has not yet been announced, however it is expected that a portion of the ADAP funding will be provided to all states and the remainder to states with severe need. The funding directed to the Ryan White Part C program for HIV medical clinics across the country will target areas where HIV infections have increased and HIV care and treatment services are not readily available. This additional funding is expected to provide services to 7,500 more patients across the country. A complete transcript of the President’s remarks can be found online.

“Over the past 30 years we have made extraordinary progress in our battle against HIV/AIDS,” says Hardy. “Still we face significant challenges. Most Americans living with HIV are still not receiving adequate treatment, and one-fifth of HIV-positive individuals are unaware they are infected. Still, we are committed to making 2011known as the moment that began to turn the tide of the epidemic throughout Ohio communities, commented Hardy.” In strong stance against the epidemic, this year, ARC Ohio announced strategic mergers with the Columbus AIDS Task Force (CATF)and the OAC to ensure sustainable, quality services for Ohioans.

With nine regional offices, this year ARC Ohio will provide supportive services and linkage to care for 3,500 HIV-positive individuals across Ohio. Thousands more will be reached with advocacy, evidence-based prevention and testing services. For more information go to www.arcohio.org.

AIDS Resource Center Ohio Names New Director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition

Former OAC Director of Programs, Tyler TerMeer, returns to the Ohio HIV Community.

Dayton, Ohio, November 28, 2011 – AIDS Resource Center Ohio (ARC Ohio) today announced that Tyler Andrew TerMeer has been named Director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition (OAC). TerMeer comes to the OAC from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), based in Washington, DC, where he served the nation's chief state health agency staff who have programmatic responsibility for administering HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis healthcare, prevention, education, and supportive service programs funded by state and federal governments. As a manager of HIV prevention and health equity, he led NASTAD’s call-to-action in addressing the HIV and STD crises among gay and bisexual men of all races and ethnicities in the United States. TerMeer brings 8 years of experience in HIV Prevention and Care and Treatment and Public Policy. He previously served as the OAC Director of Programs from 2004 – 2008.

TerMeer fills the position vacated with the September death of OAC’s former director, Kevin Sullivan. “We are delighted to have Tyler return to OAC and to Ohio,” states ARC Ohio CEO Bill Hardy. “His former experience with OAC and work at the national level are tremendous assets to OAC’s services across Ohio’s HIV/AIDS community. I know that Kevin would be delighted with his appointment.”

OAC and ARC Ohio announced their strategic merger in September, 2011 to ensure sustainable, quality services for Ohioans living with HIV/AIDS. OAC, now a program of the AIDS Resource Center Ohio, provides education, leadership training, advocacy, and support for Ohio’s HIV/AIDS community.

“The very foundation of who I have become in my professional career and the strength and inspiration that empower me in my personal life come largely from Sullivan’s mentorship, compassion, and above all friendship.” TerMeer and Sullivan previously worked side-by-side to ensure that the voices of people living with HIV/AIDS in Ohio were heard and valued. “I am honored to return and help shape the future of program and policy for people living with HIV throughout the state of Ohio as the Director of the Ohio AIDS Coalition, continued TerMeer. “If I can leave half the legacy that Kevin Sullivan has, I will have been successful in my life.”

For information about ARC Ohio, go to http://arcohio.org/

Ohio AIDS Coalition & ARC Ohio to Merge

Decision Designed to Ensure Sustainable, Quality Services for Ohioans with HIV/AIDS

Columbus, OH—This past weekend, the AIDS Resource Center Ohio (ARC Ohio) board of directors voted unanimously to carry out a full merger with the Ohio AIDS Coalition (OAC), with ARC Ohio serving as the continuing legal entity.

The vote follows a similar decision, also unanimous, taken at an OAC board meeting two weeks ago.

ARC Ohio is the state’s largest HIV/AIDS service, prevention education, and advocacy organization, serving 66 of 88 Ohio counties, or more than two-thirds of the state.  Earlier this summer ARC Ohio also merged with the Columbus AIDS Task Force, a move designed to strengthen long-term sustainability and maximize adoption of cutting-edge best practices by both agencies.

Ohio AIDS Coalition is a statewide membership organization providing education, leadership training, advocacy, and support for Ohio’s HIV/AIDS community.  OAC members include people living with HIV/AIDS, their loved ones, service providers, and other persons affected by the epidemic.  The organization is viewed as a statewide leader in advocacy and promotion of high-quality services.

To Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of OAC, the rationale for the merger is two-fold.  “We’re in a good financial position, and OAC enjoys considerable respect around the state,” he noted.  “But we’ve been aware of the need to secure long-term sustainability, and the need to extend the reach of advocacy by aligning with a larger organization.  This merger accomplishes both of those goals—on every level, it’s the right next step for OAC.”

OAC’s programs and services will go on, as the Ohio AIDS Coalition, under the nonprofit umbrella of ARC Ohio, which has committed to providing administrative and program support.  Sullivan will continue as an adviser, and all current OAC staff will remain.  To Bill Hardy, CEO of ARC Ohio, preserving the core identity and mission of OAC is critical.  “They’ve provided essential services over the years, with a talented, dedicated staff.  We’re all committed to making sure that work goes on.  And we all believe that by joining forces in this way, we can mobilize an even stronger voice in the advocacy and public policy education arenas.”

Board members of the two agencies concur.  “We’ve been discussing this possibility for some time now, and we’re delighted with the outcome: it safeguards the continued advocacy and education that OAC provides for Ohio's consumers,” said Pam Gibbs, a resident of Canton who chairs the Ohio AIDS Coalition board.  ARC Ohio Board Co-ChairsBobby Thaxton and Sam Rinehartagreed.  "The merger of OAC and ARC Ohio will bring a stronger voice to the clients and constituents we serve here in Ohio.  As a combined organization, advocacy and fundraising will be enhanced, thus permitting us to continue the OAC mission of Hope, Healing and Empowerment.”

Sarah Sobel, OAC staff member working out of the Cleveland office, sees the merger as the logical result of evolution in the field of HIV/AIDS, and of nonprofits in general.  “It’s been clear for a while now that economic difficulties will pose challenges to sustainability—but those challenges offer opportunities as well.  With the merger, we can create a more effective, responsive organization.  People with HIV/AIDS in Ohio and their friends and loved ones will all benefit from the change.”

“The merger is a very important way to keep the legacy and progress of OAC alive,” says Naimah O’Neal.  A Cleveland member of the OAC Board, O’Neal is both a social worker, and an HIV service consumer, herself. “This will ensure that OAC’s rich history, of advocating for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS, continues.”

With offices in Athens, Chillicothe, Columbus, Dayton, Lima, Mansfield, Newark and Toledo, this year ARC Ohio will provide financial assistance, housing, linkage to care, and other services to more than 2,500 HIV-positive individuals and their loved ones.  Thousands more will be reached with testing and counseling and programs to help prevent the spread of HIV.  And with the newly-approved merger between ARC Ohio and OAC, AIDS Resource Center will now serve individuals in all 88 counties with advocacy and consumer education programming.

For information on ARC Ohio, go to http://arcohio.org/

Contact: Bill Hardy—937-461-2437 ext. 2010 (office) billhardy@arcohio.org

The Ohio Department of Health has begun enrolling clients into the Ohio HIV Drug Assistance Program (OHDAP) from the program’s Wait List.

As of July 14, 373 individuals are on the OHDAP list.  Since the last report of 492 individuals on the Wait List on July 7,  Ohio has been able to enroll 119 into the program.

This action is possible in part because of attrition and because the new Ohio state budget includes a small $300 thousand increase for the program.

The OHDAP Wait List was implemented in July 2010 after the program’s funding was no longer able to keep pace with demand.

Although the Wait List will not go away altogether, ODH hopes to do additional enrollments from the Wait List on a quarterly basis. 

To see information on Waist Lists and access restrictions across the country, click here

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives Federal civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services, and telecommunications.

An individual is considered to have a "disability" if he or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment. Persons with HIV disease, either symptomatic or asymptomatic, have physical impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities and thus are protected by the ADA.

Persons who are discriminated against because they are regarded as being HIV-positive are also protected. For example, the ADA would protect a person who is denied an occupational license or admission to a school on the basis of a rumor or assumption that he has HIV or AIDS, even if he does not.

To learn more, click here

National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Implementation Update

One year ago, the White House released the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), the country's first roadmap to addressing the domestic HIV epidemic. In recognition of this milestone, the White House has released an implementation update report and produced a video about the NHAS

View the implementation update report

View the video