PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY

The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) is the oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the AIDS epidemic in our nation’s African-American communities.  Through a network of affiliate organizations in 11 cities, its mission is to educate, organize and mobilize black leadership to meet the challenge of fighting HIV/AIDS.  NBLCA conducts public policy, advocacy and research on HIV/AIDS issues and ensures the effective participation of its leadership in all policy and resource allocation decisions at the national level.

The commission realizes its mission by training new leaders; providing technical assistance in policy to churches, community groups and health departments; analyzing and developing public policy; hosting public forums that offer accurate information and open debate; leveraging public and private resources to address the AIDS epidemic; and mobilizing broad and diverse networks of faith leaders, civic organizations, national women’s organizations and other community stakeholders in effective advocacy to improve public policy.

Through its public policy efforts, NBLCA:

* Monitors and analyzes HIV/AIDS issues.

* Develops public policy positions.

* Hosts public forums that offer accurate information and open debate.

* Tracks and directly influences executive and legislative government policies and procedures.

* Leads HIV/AIDS community coalitions.

* Mobilizes the community to help shape public policy.

* Raises awareness in the HIV/AIDS community by disseminating information on the positions of public officials and candidates.

Summary of Policy Agenda & Key Recommendations

National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS has been providing leadership and working in coalition to advocate for HIV/AIDS policy priorities of concern to the African American community. The following is a selection of some of the  policy agenda promoted throughout 2009-2010:

National HIV/AIDS Strategy

* Establish and implement a comprehensive national AIDS strategy that adequately addresses the needs of the African-American community. (For more about NBLCA’s involvement in and policies regarding the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, click here.)

HR 1964

* Passage of HR 1964, the National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act, to enhance outreach, prevention, testing, education and culturally competent research in the African American community. (For more information about this legislation, click here.)

Funding for HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care

* Fully fund and provide adequate resources for HIV/AIDS programs, including HIV prevention and services in communities of color and interventions aimed at decreasing new infections among Gay men, MSMs, women, youth and other high risk populations

Comprehensive Health Education- Youth

* Expand sex education, culturally competent, age-appropriate curricula and interventions with youth in public schools and HBCUs

Routine Testing

* Expand HIV testing as a routine part of medical care and ensure passage of HIV testing bills S.8227/A.11487 to eliminate longstanding barriers to care.

Substance Abuse Services – Harm Reduction/Syringe Exchange

* Lift the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs

AIDS Drug Assistance

* Provide adequate funding support to reduce waiting lists and other access restrictions for HIV related medications through AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP)

Women’s Health and Reproductive Rights

* Increase funding to support targeted interventions and services aimed specifically at addressing the disproportionate impact of AIDS on women and girls and advancing women’s health and reproductive rights

Housing and Essential Services

* Increase funding for HOPWA and other housing programs for PLWAs

HIV Prevention in Prisons

* Implement comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programs in prisons and other correctional settings

Travel Restrictions for Immigrants and PLWA

* Lift the immigration ban on immigrants and visitors to the United States living with HIV as mandated by the current Part 34 regulation.

Ryan White Care

* Extend the Ryan White Care ACT to ensure the provision of essential medical and support services to people with HIV/AIDS

For more information or to get involved in NBLCA’s ongoing public policy and advocacy initiatives, contact Athena Moore at amoore@nblca.org or (212) 614-2086.