Senator Jason Lewis Receives HIV/AIDS Legislative Leadership Award from AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts

Citing his support for vital public health efforts, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts presented Senator Jason Lewis with their HIV/AIDS Legislative Leadership Award prior to the 32nd annual AIDS Walk on Sunday, June 4.  AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts’ mission is to stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes for those infected and at risk, and tackling the root causes of HIV/AIDS.

The award recognized Senator Lewis’ efforts “supporting expansion of syringe access programs and working towards the goal of getting to zero new infections in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”  Harm reduction programs like needle exchange are a proven, effective public health response to the opioid crisis we face, and a safe way to engage injection drug users with needed care.  Senator Lewis has served as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health since 2015.

“When the Syringe Access Coalition needed an ally to champion the importance of expanding needle exchange programs in the Senate, we immediately turned to Senator Jason Lewis who has long been an advocate for public health in the Legislature,” said Carl Sciortino, Executive Director of AIDS Action Committee.  “AIDS Action Committee is proud to present Senator Lewis with our HIV/AIDS Legislative Leadership Award.”

“I’m proud to work with AIDS Action Committee, the entire Project ABLE coalition, and public health advocates and activists across the Commonwealth as we work toward achieving the goal of zero new infections,” said Senator Jason Lewis.  “We need to continue expanding resources for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C support services, for prevention, screening, health navigation, education, and outreach.”