The collection documents Vivent Health's fight against HIV/AIDS from the early years
of the epidemic to the present day. It includes material reflecting ARCW's advocacy
efforts, governance, services, and fundraising activities.
Much of the collection deals with ARCW's lobbying activities that led to
significantly increased AIDS funding and ensured enlightened policies by government
at the local, state, and federal levels. The records shed light on the critical role
played by ARCW to designate state funding for HIV/AIDS patients since the 1989-1991
biennial budget, to secure a more equitable allocation of federal funds under the
reauthorization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act in
1996, and to expand the federal/state Medicaid program in 1997 to include
low-income, newly diagnosed individuals with HIV.
The records also document more controversial topics such ARCW's efforts to attract
funding for its Lifepoint clean needle exchange program in Milwaukee. Supporters of
the idea stressed its success in reducing high risk behavior among intravenous drug
users, while detractors felt that such a program would encourage continued drug use.
ARCW's efforts were successful and the Lifepoint program continues to be an
important component of its community outreach programs.
In addition to Vivent Health's lobbying efforts, other strengths of the collection
include: annual reports from 1989 to 2013, minutes of board meetings from 1985 to
2013, and financial statements from 1988 and 2013. The collection also contains
excellent visual and audiovisual materials including videos, posters and
photographs.
