Texas Hospital Association hand-delivers letter of support

Texas Hospital Association (THA) has hand-delivered a letter in support of HB 117 to the bill's author, Chair McClendon, and to Public Health Chair Kolkhorst's office as of this morning. THA represents more than 450 hospitals and hospital systems in Texas and is a well-respected and oft sought leader in hospital-related education, advocacy, and issues.

THA's letter states:

"Allowing local jurisdictions in Texas the option to allow syringe exchange programs will prevent new HIV, HBV and HCV infections, improve public health, and save lives without requiring the use of state funds. As hospitals and the health care system implement more cost-saving initiatives and preventive medicine, it is imperative that the state embraces programs that are proven to achieve these goals."

"Based on numerous, extensive research studies, the science is clear: syringe exchange programs are highly cost-effective, lifesaving and do not promote drug use."

THA has consistently support similar legislation in previous sessions. Thank you THA!

Association of Nurses in AIDS Care urges passage of HB 117

In a letter to Public Health Chair Kolkhorst the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) writes, on behalf of its 84 members who reside in Texas, in support of HB 117 and its passage.

ANAC reminds Chair Kolkhorst that House Bill 117 would not require state funds, while reducing the risk of further HIV infection and associated costs. ANAC reminds Chair Kolkhorst:

"HIV/AIDS rates in Texas remain high, and Texas has the fourth highest rate of HIV/AIDS of any state. Needle exchange programs as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention package will save lives. Needle exchange programs are one of the most scientifically-based methods for reducing HIV."

Click on letter image below to read the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care's statement in support of HB 117.

Representative Donna Howard signs on to HB 117

House Bill 117 picks up another Coauthor this morning, House Administration (Procedural) Vice Chair Donna Howard. Representative Howard has worked as a critical-care nurse, a Health Education instructor at the University of Texas, and has been president of the Texas Nurses Association (which supports access to sterile syringes as effective disease prevention). Thank you Representative Howard!

Texas Infectious Diseases Society urges legislators to pass HB 117 without delay

In a letter to Representatives McClendon (House Bill 117 Author) and Kolkhorst (Public Health Committee Chair) the President of the Texas Infectious Diseases Society writes on behalf of over 270 infectious disease physicians and scientists in support of HB 117, which would allow local entities to operate voluntary needle exchange programs. Dr. Septimus urges legislators to 'move this important legislation forward and enact it this session without delay.'

An excerpt from the letter (see full letter below):

" Based on numerous studies and extensive research evidence, the science is clear: needle exchange programs are highly cost-effective, lifesaving, and do not promote drug use. In addition to the reduced risks for disease, sterile syringe access programs facilitate greater access to drug treatment by providing a crucial entry point into medical care, detox and rehabilitation, and mental health treatment. Nearly 200 syringe exchange programs successfully operate in 38 states, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and Indian Lands. Allowing local jurisdictions in Texas the option to support these programs will prevent new HIV, HBV and HCV infections, improve public health and save lives."

The letter also reminds legislators that Texas is currently wasting taxpayer dollars treating blood borne infections that it could be preventing through the simple measure of access to sterile syringes.

When legislators and fellow Texans are ready to listen to science and reason, and support effective disease prevention programs, savings will follow.

Representative Elliott Naishtat signs on to HB 117 as Joint Author

Public Health Vice Chair Elliott Naishtat has signed on to House Bill 117. Thank you Representative Naishtat!

Organizational support for allowing syringe exchange in Texas continues to grow

AIDS Arms, Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation, and Mothers Against Teen Violence join an impressive list of Texas organizations supporting syringe access:

• AIDS ARMS
  
• AIDS SERVICES OF AUSTIN, INC.
  
• AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF TEXAS
  
• BEXAR AREA HARM REDUCTION COALITION
• BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT
• CLEAT
  
• COALITION FOR NURSES IN ADVANCED PRACTICE
  
• COASTAL BEND AIDS FOUNDATION
  
• COUNTY JUDGES & COMMISSIONERS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS
• CHRISTUS SANTA ROSA HEALTH CARE
• HARRIS COUNTY HEALTHCARE ALLIANCE
  
• HEPATITIS C ADVOCATE NETWORK
  
• HOUSTON AREA IMMUNIZATION PARTNERSHIP
• LATINO HIV TASK FORCE
• LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TEXAS
  
• LEGACY COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES
• LIVER HEALTH TODAY, HOUSTON
  
• MOTHERS AGAINST TEEN VIOLENCE
  
• PARKLAND HOSPITAL
  
• SAINT MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SAN ANTONIO
• SAN ANTONIO AIDS FOUNDATION
• SCOTT & WHITE CENTER FOR HEALTHCARE POLICY
  
• SOUTH TEXAS SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY SERVICES
• TEXAS ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS
• TEXAS ACADEMY OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
• TEXAS ADVOCACY PROJECT
  
• TEXAS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION
• TEXAS IMPACT
  
• TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
  
• TEXAS NURSES ASSOCIATION
  
• TEXAS PEDIATRIC SOCIETY
• TRINITY COUNTY
  

In a letter of support for House Bill 117 (see below), Joy Strickland, CEO Of Mothers Against Teen Violence, states "SEPs are in line with a public health approach to drug addiction, which is a medical/mental health problem. All Texans stand to benefit from fewer blood borne disease infections and from the safe disposal of used syringes.

Bill Hoelscher, Executive Director of Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation, states in a letter (see below) to HB 117 author Rep. McClendon (D-San Antonio), "Some may have concern that allowing needle exchange programs in Texas will be a nod of approval, that substance use is acceptable. Reality is that no has an answer to stop the wide spread use of drugs in Texas, but there is the potential to stop the spread of a disease that is costing us millions of dollars each year."

Several Texas County Judges and Sheriffs have written letters to their State Representatives supporting House Bill 117 and the potential for syringe exchange programs to avert new cases of HIV and reduce drug use in their localities.

U.S. Surgeon General supports needle exchange

Until 2009, federal law banned spending federal funds to support syringe access. This ban inhibited medical providers from operating syringe access programs in order to address the dual problems of infectious disease and addiction.

In 2009 Congress voted to remove the ban on funding syringe access, allowing states, local governments and non-profits to offer cost effective disease prevention that is in the best interest of their communities.

Last month, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a statement affirming the public health value of syringe services programs (SSPs). The notice reiterates that syringe exchange services are an effective way of reducing HIV, while also encouraging people to enter drug treatment. The Surgeon General's notice cites a study that found that participants of a syringe exchange program were five times more likely to enter drug treatment than people using injection drugs who did not have access to or visit a syringe exchange program (Hagan et al. 2000).

To view the notice, issued by the Health and Human Services Department on February 23, 2011, click here. The notice was issued in the Federal Register Vol. 76, No. 36 page 10038. Please visit SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) "Bibliographic Support for the Syringe Services Program" for a list of studies supporting the efficacy of syringe exchange.

Senator Deuell poised to sponsor HB 117

In a letter distributed to every member of the Texas House of Representatives, along with a copy of "The Conservative Case for Needle Exchange," Senator Bob Deuell (R-Greenville) reaffirms his support for passing syringe exchange legislation. Doctor Deuell's commitment to disease prevention outreach programs has remained strong and steady, as a physician, as a conservative, and especially as a Christian. Senator Deuell has stood by his conviction that every life is worth saving, and that every individual deserves compassion.

Senator Deuell's initial feelings of trepidation toward the subject of syringe exchange were quickly dispelled when presented with the scientific facts and figures in support of these lifesaving interventions. In his letter he states:

"If you had asked me just a few years ago how I felt about allowing drug addicts to trade their dirty needles for clean ones, I likely would have said I opposed it. But once I looked at the studies, I saw that these programs work. And they do not increase drug use. On the contrary, these programs often help get drug addicts into rehabilitation where they can be helped.

As a physician, I support needle exchange programs because I want to see HIV and Hepatitis B and C fought with the best tools available.

As a Christian, I support needle exchange programs because I know every life has value to God, who does not allow me to give up on anyone."

"I wish this was not an issue which we needed to address. I would much prefer that no one in Texas would ever get addicted to injected drugs or put themselves and others at risk for dangerous and often deadly diseases. But since these problems exist, we must fight them with the very best tools at our disposal."

Senator Deuell has passed syringe exchange legislation in the Senate in 2007 and 2009 (23-6 Senators voted in favor of SB 188) and is ready to do so again if the House approves HB 117. HB 117 would provide counties with a population of over 300,000 the option of authorizing syringe exchange programs. There are many private funding options for syringe exchange services which would allow the state and counties to avoid spending public money while authorizing programs that would save the state the cost of treating additional cases of HIV and blood borne infections. It's a win-win situation. And on the face of things this bill appears to align perfectly with the conservative platform: it aims to preserve and save lives, it is a local control measure, and it would save the state and the taxpayer millions of valuable dollars by sparing counties and public hospitals the burden of treating additional infectious disease among the uninsured by preventing it in the first place.

If Texas legislators are sincere about implementing successful and sound measures to save the state money then there is absolutely no good reason for not supporting House Bill 117. There is no rational excuse for Public Health Committee Chair, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, not scheduling a hearing. And there is no sense in keeping Texas from having access to the second most effective HIV intervention, syringe exchange.

Representative Eric Johnson signs on to HB 117

Representative Eric Johnson (D-Dallas) has signed on to HB 117 as Coauthor. Dallas County has been one of the counties hardest hit by HIV in Texas. With over 13,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, Dallas County has the highest rate of HIV infection in Texas. Thank you Rep. Johnson for supporting sensible HIV interventions that would not only bring people who struggle with drug dependence into services, but also reduce drug abuse and disease!