March 23, 2007
HASA 4 ALL – STATEWIDE
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Road trip to Albany! |
Next Tuesday, March 27 PLWHAs from New York City and across the state will travel to Albany to push for the statewide version of “HASA 4 All.”
The goal: expansion of HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) benefits and services to all HIV-infected people in New York City and all across the state.
The way to do it: Pass Senator Tom Duane’s bill S. 1570 (and the companion Assembly bill expected to be introduced shortly).
Sound worth fighting for? For a seat on the bus, contact Charles Long at long2@housingworks.org.
The basics on H4A/NYS
“HASA 4 All” is designed to help people living with HIV maintain their health, housing and day-to-day lives through targeted special benefits to low-income individuals living with HIV.
State law applies everywhere in New York, so if we pass “HASA 4 All” in Albany, it will apply to everyone living with HIV not just in New York City but also in Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, the Capital District, the North Country, Syracuse, Rochester, the Southern Tier, Buffalo – everywhere in New York!
HIV/AIDS in New York is accelerated by poverty, widespread homelessness and a lack of reliable, stable access to basic health care and services among high-risk populations. Here are the facts:
- People who are homeless or unstably housed are up to 9 times more likely to be HIV-positive and up to 6 times more likely to engage in high-risk practices.
- People living with HIV who are homeless or unstably housed are 5 times more likely to die from AIDS.
- Transportation is a huge barrier to care, particularly upstate.
Any effort to fight HIV/AIDS that fails to address these important factors isn’t looking at the whole picture.
The solution? Statewide expansion of New York City's enhanced AIDS services and benefits for all low-income New Yorkers who are HIV-positive and rely on public benefits to survive. We want:
- Enhanced rent allowances to prevent homelessness and reduce high-risk behaviors;
- Nutrition and transportation grants to maintain health and access to care;
- Social-service case coordination to improve stability and strengthen families.
The result? Fewer AIDS deaths, fewer new HIV infections, better health outcomes and reduced health care costs.
Now does it sound worth fighting for? For a seat on the bus this Tuesday or in the future, contact Charles Long at long2@housingworks.org.
Bus details for Tuesday
The ADSA has reserved a bus that can fit 49 people. Breakfast will be provided along with a $10 lunch stipend.
The bus will make three pick-up stops:
6:30 AM: Housing Works at 743-749 East 9th Street
7:00 AM: Housing Works at 320 West 13th Street
7:30 AM: Harlem United at 123-125 West 124th Street
The return bus to New York City will depart Albany around 3:30 or 4 PM.