HIV in Montana « From Eternity To Here

One of two new Montana public service message targeting men who have sex with men- check back tomorrow for the second:

This short point of view video targeting Montana’s MSM population looks at the Classified Personal ads and points out some HIV facts that should not be classified and offers some excellent reasons to get tested (checked) for HIV. It also directs viewers to getcheckedmt.org , a resource to find the nearest HIV testing location in Montana.

This creative project was created by Laura Dybdal and Jason Gutzmer as part of Montana’s HIV Social Marketing Campaign.

Chronicle Reports on HIV In Gallatin County (dgsmith.org)
HIV+ and Partners Retreat (dgsmith.org)
Health care debate: high stakes for those with HIV (seattlepi.com)
Missoula County Sees Spike In HIV Infection (dgsmith.org)
My Hiv Test Results (thegayjohntucker.wordpress.com)
Montana Gay-Friendly Health and Mental Health Providers (dgsma.wordpress.com)

Missoula County Sees Spike In HIV Infection (dgsmith.org)
My Hiv Test Results (thegayjohntucker.wordpress.com)
Montana Gay-Friendly Health and Mental Health Providers (dgsma.wordpress.com)

Senator Jon Tester’s office released the following today:

Image via Wikipedia

Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after voting against a controversial amendment by Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., that would have allowed employers to deny health insurance coverage, including contraception, for any employee based on “moral convictions”:

“This is a reckless attempt to undermine individual freedom and restrict access to health care for women. This measure is unprecedented and out-of-touch with Montana, and it would have prevented women from making their own healthcare decisions.”

The amendment did not define “moral convictions,” meaning an employer could have denied insurance coverage for anything from blood transfusions and diabetes screenings to HPV vaccinations and treatment of HIV.

The measure failed by a vote of 51-48, failing to reach the 60 votes needed for approval.

It sounds like it would have given employers the right to discriminate for insurance coverage.

I’m especially glad the release specifically mentioned HIV- we have hundreds of Montanans living with HIV who are enrolled in health insurance through their employers….