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State Representative Paul Thissen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5375
For more information contact: Ben Schweigert 651-296-5809
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REPRESENTATIVE PAUL THISSEN ADDRESSES AIDS RALLY CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF THE HIV PREVENTION AND HEALTH CARE ACCESS BILL
Representative Paul Thissen addressed hundreds of AIDS advocates at the Minnesota State Capitol on Tuesday, April 12th, calling for the passage of HF 1892, the HIV Prevention and Health Care Access Bill.
“I am so proud to be carrying this legislation in the House of Representatives," Representative Thissen said. “It is not everyday a person gets to work on such a smart and compassionate piece of legislation.”
The bill, which has been referred to the Health Policy and Finance Committee, seeks to limit the spread of HIV, improve the quality of life for people with AIDS, and save the state money over time by ensuring high-quality treatments for those infected with the virus.
“The idea of the bill is simple,” Representative Thissen said, “To make investments that ensure that every person living with HIV or AIDS has access to the most effective and most current treatment available”
The measure would respond in part to the under-funding of state health care programs by Governor Pawlenty, which Thissen said is a result of his unwillingness to consider raising state taxes. This funding situation has significantly raised costs for program participants, which in many cases has disrupted the rigorous and regular medical regimens upon which effect AIDS treatment relies.
“As a result, many people living with HIV and AIDS simply cannot get the regular treatment they need to effectively fight the infection,” Representative Thissen said. “This matters because failure to effectively treat HIV and AIDS will in the long run cost the state more money because it will lead to serious health complications. It matters because irregular treatment causes the disease to spread more easily and to mutate into more virulent strains. And it matters above all because we all have a moral obligation to attend to the life and health of all of our fellow citizens.”
News Items
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- State Representative John Persell appointed Majority Whip - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 1:11PM)
- Speaker-designate Thissen to Establish Select Committee on Living Wage Jobs - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
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