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Local News
AIDS Activist Calls for Community Action
by Matthew Gerber
Stuart Merrill has had a busy year. Despite having served on the Utah Department of Health Treatment & Care Planning Committee for HIV and AIDS for three years, his activism regarding HIV started one year ago. When the committee learned that the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, or ADAP, was scheduled for a reduction in funding after six years of flat-funding, Stuart took action. Not one to sit back and watch life pass him by, he began lobbying outside organizations to cover the state’s 2005 budget shortfall for the program. Besides lobbying for ADAP, the Salt Lake City AIDS activist has been involved in the Campaign to End AIDS and helped organize the World AIDS Day candlelight vigil in December, 2005.
Nationwide, ADAP programs have had a challenge covering those in need. With over a million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, the number in need of assistance continues to grow, as does the price of the life-saving medications people with AIDS must take to stay healthy. Flat-funding of ADAP programs has left waiting lists in many states, as well as the need to cut services that may be obtained.
Merrill, as part of the Campaign to End AIDS, also known as C2EA, is asking our Utah legislators to fund $250,000 to pay for HIV medications for those who cannot afford them. While the Campaign to End AIDS had originally planned on asking for permanent funding of ADAP, they will only be asking for coverage for the next year at this time. The rationale behind the need for continued ADAP funding is that it is much cheaper to treat someone with HIV before they reach an AIDS diagnosis. HIV-positive Utahns could obtain the medication they need to stay healthy, working, and paying taxes if ADAP is adequately funded.
On Wednesday, February 1st, C2EA Utah hosted a meet and greet with members of the press. Utahns living with HIV/AIDS were invited to sit down one-on-one with local news reporters to tell them what living with HIV/AIDS in Utah is like and encourage them to report on the need for adequate funding of ADAP. Also, on February 1, people living with HIV/AIDS, their families, friends, and caregivers were invited to testify before the Health Services Budget Hearing.
Stuart notes that he has found “one of [his] number one champions” in Gayle Ruzicka of the Eagle Forum, who is in favor of continued ADAP funding. With conservative and liberal forces alike supporting the cause, there is hope in obtaining the necessary votes to continue the program.
Members of the community are encouraged to get involved by contacting their state representatives and Senators and encourage them to approve further funding of ADAP.
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