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Equality Arizona Applauds Appointment of Jeffrey S. Crowley as Director for Office of National AIDS Policy

In an announcement by President Obama today, for the first time in nearly a decade the White House administration has taken a bold step forward by appointing Jeffrey S. Crowley to head the Office of National AIDS Policy.  Crowley’s bio reflects a strong background in policy research and development.   

The White House provided the following bio.  “Jeffrey S. Crowley, M.P.H., is a Senior Research Scholar at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute and a Senior Scholar at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University Law Center. In these roles, he is recognized and respected for his capacity to integrate public health research with political strategy to achieve policy changes.  He has authored numerous reports and policy briefs, and has testified before various Congressional Committees and the Institute of Medicine on several occasions. His primary areas of expertise are Medicaid policy, including Medicaid prescription drug policies; Medicare policy; and consumer education and training. “

“We are enthusiastic with the selection of Mr. Crowley to join the President’s Domestic Policy Council to guide policy on HIV/AIDS”, said Barbara McCullough-Jones, Equality Arizona Executive Director.  We are optimistic that Mr. Crowley’s extensive academic credentials and real life experience will bring renewed focus to this epidemic in a way that will create effective policy and return compassion to those most affected by this disease, added McCullough-Jones.

“At a time when our national leaders are finding their way to focus on the health care needs of all Americans, we call on Arizona’s lawmakers to pass proactive legislation which allows medically accurate education, fully funded prevention programs and viable treatments to combat HIV/AIDS,” added McCullough-Jones.  We cannot forget how the HIV/AIDS pandemic has disproportionately affected people of color and gay men.  Our lawmakers must not turn their backs on these communities but instead we invite them reach out to those most qualified to advise on this public policy issue to ensure the compassionate and humane treatment of all Arizonans."

For a complete bio about Mr. Crowley please visit the White House’s official website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Selects-Health-Policy-Expert-to-Head-Office-of-National-AIDS-Policy/

Saturday was quite the day in Arizona politics.  Hotly contested races for party chairs resulted in no change for the state Republican Party and a surprising shift in the Democratic Party.

As a nonpartisan organization we followed these races closely to see what changes, if any, Arizona might see especially on the heels of national and statewide races that left a cavern the size of the Grand Canyon between the national mood of hope and optimism and in Arizona a dramatic conservative shift in the legislature.

At statewide meetings held on the same day text messages were flying fast.  Randy Pullen the controversial Chair of the Arizona Republican Party was re-elected to another term.  In a stunning turn of events Don Bivens was unseated as the Chair for the Arizona Democratic Party by veteran organizer Paul Ekerstrom.  Ekerstrom who did not decide until the morning of the meeting to place his name in nomination electrified the room with a speech reminiscent of John Kennedy.

Even before taking office now Governor Brewer-R signaled her agenda would include repeal of many progressive gains made over the past six years under Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano.  True to form the first bill introduced at the start of the 49^th legislature proposes to take away a women’s right to make health care decisions for herself.

Under attack are domestic partner benefits for state employees, safe schools, education budgets, full-day kindergarten and many other policies that provide safety and quality of life for Arizonans. 

This shift in politics signals a wake-up call not just for the LGBT community but for all those who believe in protecting our constitution, right to privacy and our Libertarian way of governing.  With an unstoppable majority in the House, Senate and Executive office Equality Arizona will work across both parties to enact pro-family legislation while mitigating any attempts at regressive policies which would only serve to undermine Arizona’s LGBT families.