Vivent Health Records, 1985-2019

 

Scope and Content Note

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.