HIVMA Advocates on Capitol Hill for HIV, Opioid Funding
On June 4, fifteen HIVMA members met with 49 congressional offices in the Senate and House of Representatives, discussing with key staff and committees the need to increase federal funding for HIV programs in FY 2019 and urging Congress to pass opioid response bills related to addressing its infectious diseases consequences. The group also met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Don Wright, MD, and key staff at the White House Office of Management and Budget to discuss the urgency of incorporating infectious diseases prevention, treatment and providers into the response to the opioid and other substance abuse epidemics.
Rochelle Walensky, MD, FIDSA, HIVMA Board Member and Chief of
Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General meets
with U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) during HIVMA Advocacy Day.
HIVMA Board Chair Melanie Thompson, MD;
Vice Chair Judith Feinberg, MD, FIDSA; and
PIDS Liaison Michelle Ogle, MD with Don Wright, MD, MPH.
To get started with your own congressional advocacy in Washington D.C. or in your home district, visit the newly updated IDSA and HIVMA Advocacy Guides for tips and resources. Please reach out with questions to Lisa Cox, IDSA Director of Government Relations or George Fistonich, HIVMA Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager.