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Newsletter: Policy

Policy Updates: Hill Happenings and Administration Activities

Julio Contreras

Hill Happenings 

Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations  

On February 17, the Senate passed the House-approved continuing resolution (CR) (H.R. 6617), successfully averting a federal shutdown by extending current federal funding levels through March 11. The new CR will buy appropriators more time to build upon their Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022) bipartisan topline appropriations agreement and finalize an omnibus spending package. 

Senate Republicans threatened to block the CR, citing opposition to certain harm reduction services in the Biden Administration’s first-ever federal harm reduction grant program and other pandemic-related policy issues. Republican Senators did not introduce an amendment targeting the harm reduction grants, and other pandemic-related amendments did not receive enough votes to pass. NASTAD is working in coalition to ensure that Congress protects harm reduction services in the FY2022 spending package and advocate for the removal of the prohibition on federal funds to purchase syringes and other safe consumption supplies.  

NASTAD will continue to monitor the FY2022 appropriations process to advocate for the highest funding levels on behalf of HIV and hepatitis programs. 

Administration Activities 

FDA Permits Marketing of First Condom Specifically Indicated for Anal Intercourse 

On February 23, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the marketing of the first condoms specifically indicated to help reduce transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during anal intercourse. The FDA highlighted the anal condom’s potential to significantly decrease the risk of STIs and HIV, which are highly transmissible through unprotected anal sex. The condoms, which will be marketed as the One Male Condom, are also indicated as a contraceptive to help reduce the risk of pregnancy and the transmission of STIs during vaginal intercourse. 

Dr. Emeka Egwim Selected to Lead HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs 

On February 28, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced that Dr. Emeka Egwim was selected as the HRSA Director of the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) within the Office of Special Health Initiatives (OSHI). Dr. Egwim has extensive public health experience, including serving as a Senior Policy Analyst in HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau and a pharmacist in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Division of Pharmacy. As Director of OPA, Dr. Egwim will play a considerable role in navigating the administration’s response to changes in the 340B Drug Pricing Program and leading other drug pricing and policy initiatives to promote access to clinically and cost effective pharmacy services to the country's most vulnerable patient populations. Dr. Egwim will assume the role from Michelle Herzog, Acting Director of OPA, who will continue to serve as Deputy Director.

Resources 

NIH Updates COVID-19 and HIV Guidance 

On February 22, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of AIDS Research published updated guidance for people with HIV navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance, first published in February of 2021, was updated to reflect new advances in COVID-19 prevention and treatment.  

O’Neill Institute Quick Take: Harm Reduction is Essential to U.S. Drug Policy 

“While there is no question that the societal problems associated with substance use disorders are real and difficult, research demonstrates that a punitive approach to addiction only exacerbates the conditions that can lead to substance use and related harms… Adopting effective, evidence-based policies such as harm reduction is needed to prevent overdose deaths and it is also critically important to our collective work to end the HIV epidemic and eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat in the U.S.” 

O’Neill Institute Big Ideas Brief: Improving the Quality of Life of People Living with HIV Must Guide the Implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy 

“In December 2021, President Biden released the latest National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States for 2022-2025, which more than ever before focuses on improving quality of life. Sustaining this focus must be the guiding light for our collective efforts to achieve the Strategy’s vision.” 

Health Affairs: Improving The Measurement Of Structural Racism To Achieve Antiracist Health Policy 

“This article highlights methodological approaches that will move the field forward in its ability to validly measure structural racism for the purposes of achieving health equity. We identify three key areas that require scholarly attention to advance antiracist health policy research: historical context, geographical context, and theory-based novel quantitative and qualitative methods that capture the multifaceted and systemic properties of structural racism as well as other systems of oppression.” 

NVHR/CHLPI Hep C Access Treatment Survey 

The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) and the Center for Health Law & Policy Innovation (CHLPI) are in the process of updating the evaluation criteria for Hepatitis C: State of Medicaid Access and would like to hear from people who have been personally impacted by hepatitis C, healthcare team members, advocates, and other stakeholders about ongoing barriers to hepatitis C treatment access in your communities. Please fill out this 10-15 minute survey by Sunday, March 6th to inform the project’s evaluation criteria moving forward. 

Job Postings 

STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program, Louisiana Health Hub 

Health Policy Manager – HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute 

The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute is seeking a Health Policy Manager to help fulfill its policy goals to increase access and affordability of PrEP for the prevention of HIV and ensure patient access to healthcare and treatment for those with private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. The Health Policy Manager will be responsible for assisting in federal policy and advocacy efforts to develop and implement a national program to expand access and affordability of PrEP for the prevention of HIV. Applications close March 3, or until position filled.  

HIV/STD Program Manager – Alaska 

The Alaska Division of Public Health seeks a HIV/STD Program Manager (Nurse Consultant 2). The position serves as HIV/STD Program Manager and is responsible to develop, manage, and coordinate multiple statewide programs to detect and control HIV and sexually transmitted infections. The incumbent oversees and stimulates necessary policy and program development; seek and manage federal or other appropriate funding, oversees State grants and contracts for HIV and STD-related services; provides consultation/expertise to medical providers on HIV/STD treatment and care issues. The HIV/STD Program manager recruits, trains, and supervise program staff. Applications close March 11 at 5:00 PM AKT.  

Senior Public Health Investigator – Houston, TX 

The Houston Health Department seeks 12 Senior Public Health Investigators in the Bureau of HIV/STD and Viral Hepatitis Prevention to serve as Disease Intervention Specialists, Service Linkage Workers, and Patient Navigators. These full-time positions will report to various units including HIV Field Services, STI Field Services, Congenital Syphilis Field Services, Service Linkage Field Services, and PrEP Services. Applications close March 8. 

Washington State Department of Health – Tumwater, WA 

  • Drug User Health Program Epidemiologist 
    • This Epidemiologist contributes to the organization by assuring that the fundamental activity of public health assessment is conducted in a timely and accurate way.  It contributes specifically to the mission of the Infectious Disease Assessment Unit by developing data reporting and management systems, proposing and conducting epidemiologic investigations and corrective action, preparing datasets, conducting data analyses, and disseminating data for the Drug User Health program.  Applications close February 22.
  • Syringe Service Program Coordinator 
    • Reporting to the Integration, Hepatitis C & Drug User Health Programs Manager, the Syringe Service Program (SSP) Coordinator provides leadership and is responsible and accountable for stakeholder engagement and mobilization efforts that increase access to and utilization of syringe service programs (SSPs) and related efforts to address health disparities and health inequities in communities disproportionately impacted by infectious disease and overdose. This recruitment is open and continuous.  

Department of State Health Services – Austin, TX 

  • Research Specialist V 
    • Under the supervision of the Group Manager, the MMP Project Coordinator/Research Specialist V performs advanced research and epidemiological work requiring specialized knowledge of health behaviors related to TB/HIV/STD transmission. Responsible for the coordination of activities involved in the implementation of the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) in Texas. Coordinates activities related to sampling frame development, healthcare facility, provider, and patient recruitment and data collection. Prepares budget and grant documents, data collection protocols and procedures, annual, interim progress reports, and other reports required by CDC or DSHS.  
  • Program Specialist IV 
    • Under the direction and supervision of the TB/HIV/STD Surveillance Group manager and Electronic Lab Reporting (ELR) Epidemiology Team Lead, conducts activities related to data management and processing of HIV and STD laboratory reports. This position will provide technical expertise in the interpretation of laboratory data, and will be responsible for monitoring data quality of incoming laboratory reports. This position, along with the ELR Epidemiology Team Lead, will work directly with laboratories to resolve any reporting issues and improve data quality. This position will assist in the design and implementation of new and/or revised methods for receipt and dissemination of electronic data to more effectively meet HIV/STD surveillance needs.   
  • Public Health & Prevention Specialist II 
    • Public Health and Prevent Specialist II performs a variety of tasks under the direction of the STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group Manager related to the management of HIV/STD investigational data, including database maintenance, report tracking, data entry, and quality assurance. This position will aid in development of short-term, mid-term and long-term goals and objectives, and the development of standards for achieving strategic operational goals. Exercises independent judgment and professional discretion with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment to administrate, advise, plan, and coordinate duties. 
  • HIV/STD Director 
    • The HIV/STD Director works under the general direction of the Director of the TB/HIV/STD Section (THSS) of the DSHS. Performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work leading the day-to-day operations of the HIV/STD Prevention and Care Unit. These programs include statewide programs for HIV clinical and social services; the provision of medications for the treatment of HIV and other STDs; and HIV/STD prevention.

Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Division, Communicable Disease Unit 

  • Communicable Disease Unit Surveillance Program Manager – Cheyenne, Wyoming 
    • The Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Division, Communicable Disease Unit is seeking a Communicable Disease Surveillance Program Manager for Cheyenne. This position will serve as the Communicable Disease (CD) Surveillance Program Manager and senior epidemiologist for the Communicable Disease Unit. This position oversees public health surveillance of four disease areas (HIV, STD, TB, and Viral Hepatitis).  This position will monitor disease trends and utilize surveillance data to coordinate public health activities.   
  • Communicable Disease Epidemiologist – Cheyenne, Wyoming 
    • This position will serve as the Communicable Disease AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Coordinator, Wyoming TB Controller, and Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) for the Communicable Disease (CD) Treatment Program.  Assist in outbreak response to ensure the safety of Wyoming residents; by interviewing cases for exposure information, updating news outlets on the progress of outbreak control, analyzing exposure data utilizing epidemiological and statistical methods. 

Hepatitis Surveillance Data Analyst – New Orleans, Louisiana 

This position is responsible for the data analysis activities for the Louisiana Office of Public Health STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program (SHHP), in the Hepatitis Surveillance unit. Data utilized for Hepatitis Surveillance activities include Hepatitis laboratory data, Case Report Forms, Provider Report Forms, Linkage to Cure data, investigation data, Medicaid data, and data from related sources and programs. This position will implement and coordinate data analysis activities to monitor and evaluate progress toward meeting hepatitis elimination within the state. All activities must be completed in accordance with the security and confidentiality guidelines required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and SHHP. 

Assistant Commissioner - Health Department – Baltimore, Maryland 

The Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) is seeking an Assistant Commissioner to lead the Bureau of Communicable Disease and Outbreak Control. This senior management position will lead a talented team responsible for communicable disease investigation, outbreak control and emergency preparedness programming. The incumbent will also be responsible for developing and implementing agency wide policies related to health department readiness to respond to public health emergencies. The incumbent will report directly to the Deputy Commissioner for BCHD’s Division of Population Health & Disease Prevention.    

Open Positions – New York State 

The New York State Department of Health, in partnership with Health Research, Inc, has various job openings, including some within the AIDS Institute. Please visit this link to learn about their current opportunities.

News Bulletin 

Advocates scorn lawmakers over 'crack pipe' uproar 

“Lawmakers are drawing heat over their pushback against a federal grant program meant to reduce harm among drug users with "safe smoking kits," with advocates decrying the claims that taxpayer money is being spent on “crack pipes”… The efforts are being slammed and mocked by advocates who say lawmakers are trying to score political points by opposing funding for what they see as proven methods to reduce harm to people who use drugs, particularly as overdose deaths hit new highs nationwide.” 

Centering Sexual Satisfaction in the PrEP Conversation 

“PrEP is extremely effective. But the medical field hasn’t quite figured out how to get PrEP into the hands of people who need it. And part of this may be that conversations about PrEP leave out one important component: sex. Our heteronormative, sexually repressed society prefers not to talk about two men having sex. Historically, the medical response to HIV has focused on pathologizing queerness rather than embracing people’s actual, personal sexual experiences. But what would it look like if we centered sexual satisfaction in the conversation about PrEP? What if we talked about how PrEP actually affects people’s sex lives?” 

As People Who Use Drugs, We Are the Safer Supply Experts—Not Physicians 

“Safer supply saves lives. It’s that simple. People who use and sell drugs have long known this, and academic research is catching up too—demonstrating that safer supply reduces mortality rates and improves quality of life. As people who use drugs (PWUD), we denounce the unfounded critiques of safer supply by addiction medicine physicians like Vincent Lam, medical director of Coderix Medical Clinic in Toronto. We are the ones navigating the illicit drug supply daily. We are the experts. Arguments against safer supply are consistently inaccurate, pro-profit and rooted in fear and hate-based ideology. “ 

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