Embargoed for release until:July 26, 2005

For further information contact:Lyntina Townsend, BET202/608-2745, lyntina.towsend@bet.netTracy Taylor, BAI213/353-3610, tracyt@blackaids.org Rob Graham, KFF 650/854-9400, RobG@kff.org

BET, Black AIDS Institute, Kaiser Family Foundation and YWCA Announce Finalists of 2nd Annual Rap-It-Up/Black AIDS Short Subject Film Competition

WASHINGTON (July 26, 2005) – Culminating an extensive national call for submissions, BET, the Black AIDS Institute (The Institute), the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the YWCA are proud to announce the finalists in the 2nd Annual Rap-It-Up/Black AIDS Short Subject Film Competition (RIU/BASS). Ten finalists are now eligible for the next level of competition from which the winning entry will be selected.

The RIU/BASS film competition seeks to highlight the issue of HIV prevention, testing, treatment and the effect of HIV/AIDS on individuals and families in the African-American, Afro-Caribbean, and/or Afro-Latin communities in the United States. In particular, the competition helps to raise awareness about the magnitude of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black communities; encourages the public to know their status; and seeks to inspire people to take action to stop the spread of the disease. Screenwriters were encouraged to use their creativity to evoke a ‘fresh’ and culturally unique angle on these issues in a way that will resonate with African Americans.

Numerous entries were received and reviewed by a select group of judges from across the country. The finalists are: Drew Anderson, Justin Follin, Charneice Fox and Michelle Sewell (Washington, DC), Multitude of Mercies; Michelle Lynne Coons (California), Let’s Talk; Marquita Edwards (Illinois), Chances; Marcus F. Eubanks & Brandon Joseph (Arkansas), Conscious Cafe; Andrea Greer & Simone Murray (New York), Once; Charmain Johnson (Florida), Victims; Joie Lee (New York), Positive; Gregory Roberts (Illinois), The Edge Of The Looking Glass; Yasin Shabazz (Georgia), The Release Of Jackie Davis; and Lanette Ware-Bushfield (New York), Gisele and Me.

“Given recent data released by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), it is clear that AIDS has reached a level that we can no longer ignore,” commented Phill Wilson, Executive Director of the Black AIDS Institute. “The RIU/BASS film competition is another attempt to sound the alarm and mobilize the troops in an effort to finally put an end to this tragedy.”

“BET is extremely proud of both the success and impact the RIU/BASS film competition has had in depicting the extent of HIV/AIDS within the African-American community,” said Kelli Lawson, BET’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Marketing. “We look forward to continuing to promote HIV/AIDS awareness while also extending the unique opportunity for talented filmmakers to showcase their amazing work.”

“The impressive mix of powerful stories illustrates the magnitude and depth of the impact HIV/AIDS is having on African Americans throughout the U.S.” said Tina Hoff, Vice President and Director of Entertainment Media Partnerships at the Kaiser Family Foundation.

“HIV/AIDS clearly creates yet another hurdle for African-American women in their struggle to improve the socioeconomic outlook for themselves and their families,” said Debra Roth, Director of Communication and Marketing for the YWCA USA. “As the YWCA USA works to eliminate racism and empower women, we are very conscious of any influence that stands between these women and their full potential. We hope that our sponsorship of this film contest raises awareness, detection and treatment of this disease.”

The winner will be announced on August 8, 2005, and the winning film will televise on the BET network around World AIDS Day (December 1, 2005). This year’s RIU/BASS film competition follows a successful first year of notable awards and accolades for its two winning films, “Walking on Sunshine” and “Tangy’s Song!”, including the 2005 Cable Positive Award for Outstanding Film/Movie and a 2005 NAACP Image Award nomination for “Walking on Sunshine”; and a Bronze Telly Award for “Tangy’s Song!”.

HIV/AIDS continues to devastate Black communities across the globe. It is a leading cause of death for African Americans between the ages of 25 and 44 and is the top cause of death for African-American women between the ages of 25 – 34. Although African Americans represent only 13% of the U.S. population, they accounted for approximately half (49%) of AIDS diagnosis in 2003.

ABOUT BETBET, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the nation’s leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. The BET Network reaches more than 80 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant consumer brand in the urban marketplace with a diverse group of branded businesses: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks – BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, specializing in a full range of event production services, including event management, venue selection, talent recruitment, sound, lighting and stage production; and BET Books, the nation’s leading publisher of African-American themed romance novels under the Arabesque imprint which also publishes compelling fiction under the Sepia imprint and inspirational fiction and nonfiction under the New Spirit imprint.

ABOUT THE BLACK AIDS INSTITUTEThe Black AIDS Institute is a training and mobilization center focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute’s mission is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute interprets public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, offers technical assistance, disseminates information and provides advocacy from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view.

ABOUT THE HENRY J. KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATIONThe Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit, private operating foundation dedicated to providing information and analysis on health issues to policymakers, the media, and the general public. It is not associated with Kaiser Permanente or Kaiser Industries. Information on HIV/AIDS is available at www.kff.org, and a daily news summary report on developments in HIV/AIDS is available on www.kaisernetwork.org, the Foundation’s free health information service.

ABOUT YWCA USAFounded in 1858 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the YWCA is a women’s membership movement whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. The YWCA represents approximately 2 million women, girls and their families in the United States and 25 million women worldwide. The YWCA has nearly 300 associations throughout the United States. The World YWCA is at work in more than 100 other countries. For information about the YWCA, visit our Web site, http://www.ywca.org, or contact the YWCA USA at 202-467-0801.

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Medicaid is the nation’s largest health coverage program and through its 40 year history, the program has transformed from a welfare-based health coverage program to a health insurance and long-term care program serving both low-income individuals and families and providing long-term care services for individuals with disabilities and the low-income elderly. Because Medicaid has such a diverse set of obligations and is run jointly by federal and state governments there is much misunderstanding about facts related to the program. This publication outlines ten key myths and related facts about Medicaid.

Resources on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) established a voluntary outpatient prescription drug benefit for people on Medicare, known as Part D, that went into effect January 1, 2006.

Compiled below are key Foundation resources and data on the Medicare drug benefit. A complete list of Foundation reports on the drug benefit and other Medicare-related research, data, and information are available at www.kff.org/medicare.

Medicare Part D Data Spotlights

A series of briefs analyzing key elements of Medicare’s private drug plans currently available and trends since the Medicare drug benefit took effect in 2006.

Part D Plan Benefit Design, Formularies and Beneficiary SpendingA series of reports and briefs related to the Medicare drug benefit design and associated costs.

Medicare Advantage

A series of reports and briefs related to private Medicare plans, known as Medicare Advantage plans, and the Medicare drug benefit.

Part D Enrollment and Beneficiary ExperiencesReports and briefs examining enrollment in and experiences with the Medicare drug benefit.

Medicaid, Dual Eligibles, and Low-Income BeneficiariesA collection of reports and briefs related to beneficiaries enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, known as “dual eligibles,” and those with limited incomes.

Employer/Retiree CoverageA series of reports related to retiree health benefits.

MMA Law, Regulations, and AnalysesA series of summaries and analyses of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA).

Public OpinionA series of polls, surveys, and interviews related to the Medicare drug benefit.

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Acknowledgments & Methodology

Data originally presented at: The Long-Term Financing Implications of the HIVIAIDS Pandemic: Building the International Effort to Deliver Resources

• Meeting convened by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Royal African Society, and the Overseas Development Institute at Marlborough House, London, June 30, 2005

Data collected and analyzed as part of collaborative effort between
UNAIDS and the Kaiser Family Foundation

• Direct data collection during first half of 2005 from G7 and El governments and other DAC Members
• Other major data sources include: The Global Fund; UN agencies; OECD CRS, NIDI RFP
• Data for some governments are preliminary estimates
• Included are both funding commitments and disbursements for HIV/AIDS in 2004 (by donor FY)
• For Donor Governments, captures bilateral assistance and Global Fund contributions, representing prevention, care, and support; funding for international HIV research not included
• Global Fund contributions adjusted to represent an estimated HIVIAIDS share (60%)

The Kaiser Family Foundation has produced three documentaries to mark the 40th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. The documentaries examine the social needs that led policymakers to create these programs, the expectations of what they would achieve and the reality of these programs today. Key policymakers, staff officials and members of Congress involved in the creation and implementation of Medicare and Medicaid are interviewed. Extensive use of historic video helps tell the story of these landmark social programs.

There are three documentaries; this one is about Medicare, there is a second one about Medicaid, and a third one that tells the story of both programs.

The Kaiser Family Foundation has produced three documentaries to mark the 40th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. The documentaries examine the social needs that led policymakers to create these programs, the expectations of what they would achieve and the reality of these programs today. Key policymakers, staff officials and members of Congress involved in the creation and implementation of Medicare and Medicaid are interviewed. Extensive use of historic video helps tell the story of these landmark social programs.

There are three documentaries; this one is about Medicaid, there is a second one about Medicare, and a third one that tells the story of both programs.

The Medicare and Medicaid health coverage programs were signed into law July 30, 1965. The Kaiser Family Foundation has some new resources that examine how Medicare and Medicaid came into existence and how they have evolved over the past 40 years. You will find new documentaries and extended interviews with key policymakers and government officials examining the origins of Medicare and Medicaid, new interactive historical timelines, a chart pack of key information and statistics, a webcast of a retrospective of the two programs with historian Robert Dallek and key government officials responsible for the programs over the past 40 years, and many other background resources on the two programs.

Dual Eligibles: Medicaid Enrollment and Spending for Medicare Beneficiaries in 2003

This report provides the latest national and state data on Medicaid enrollment and spending for individuals enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare, also knows as dual eligibles. Nationally, there are 7.5 million dual eligibles and while they comprise 14 percent of the Medicaid population, they account for 40 percent of Medicaid spending.

Issue Paper (.pdf)

May/June 2005 Kaiser Health Poll Report – Toplines

The May/June Kaiser Health Poll Report featured topic explores the public’s views on long-term care. The featured topic includes current expectations about paying for nursing home care, views on nursing homes, and attitudes about the government’s role in regulating nursing home quality. The featured topic uses data from the latest Kaiser Health Poll Report Survey as well as previous surveys by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The May/June Kaiser Health Poll Report also includes Health Security Watch and the Kaiser/Harvard Health News Index.

Kaiser Health Poll Report Featured Topic: The Public’s Views On Long-Term Care

Topline/Survey

Nursing home information on statehealthfacts.org