Comments on: AIDS groups stage White House protest

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:31:48 +0000

John-Manuel Andriote – Your points are absolutely on target. As I mentioned in my earlier post (above), our “national” organizations are serioursly culpable in their silence regarding the ADAP waiting list. They have become comfortably part of AIDS, Inc., a multi-million dollar trough while those in greatest need are left to languish without access to the very meds that will keep them alive. But, what the heck — develop a new plan, have another national conference, attend a smart White House reception, get a picture with Obama — it’s all in a day’s work.

By: John-Manuel Andriote

John-Manuel Andriote — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:32:58 +0000

As I’ve interviewed activists, policymakers, researchers, AIDS service providers, and people living with HIV for the revised edition of my book Victory Deferred: How AIDS Changed Gay Life in America, I’ve been amazed at what a docile lot they’ve become. Watching the live Internet stream of the so-called “unveiling” of the National AIDS Strategy in July was painful. After 30 years without a coordinated national plan, this new document promised all kinds of improvements in how the U.S. continues to mishandle its AIDS epidemic. All the talk about preventing the spread of HIV by testing and treating people who need medication is hot air if HIV-positive people can’t access the life-saving treatment they need. Although I agree the U.S. has a key role to play in addressing the global HIV pandemic, it’s most important contribution is to first address our own “domestic” epidemic. There is something deeply wrong with allowing more than 3,000 Americans to languish on ADAP waiting lists while providing 72,000 additional Ugandans with FREE (yes FREE) HIV medication through the PEPFAR program.. Charity must begin at home, period. All the grand words and self-congratulations by Obama administration officials and AIDS advocates too compromised by their receipt of federal dollars to speak out are hollow as long as any American who needs HIV medication is unable to get it.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:25:50 +0000

Kristin – Your comments are very well stated. I was not a big fan of the nationwide city-tour of meetings for the development of an AIDS strategy. After 30 years, the last thing we need in the epidemic is another set of meetings! We all know what needs to be done — stakeholder groups have repeatedly, year-after-year, presented reports and petitions for action. While heralded as new and innovative, there is nothing new in the recently released national AIDS strategic plan. The development of an updated plan could have been done in a matter of months and vetted through the web. What we now required is the financial commitment from the administration and Congress towards implementation. Imagine, we are currently at the point where highly successful ADAP programs do not have the funds for those needing life-saving drugs. It is unconscionable to have “waiting lists” for those needing these drugs.

By: Frankie James

Frankie James — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 17:18:04 +0000

ACT UP – FIGHT BACK

By: Kristin

Kristin — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:55:56 +0000

President Bush was able to close the gap on ADAP waiting lists during his tenure, I am wondering why it is taking so long for the Obama Administration and congressional leadership to take action. A National HIV/AIDS Strategy doesn’t help if there is no political will to ending a very clear life-threatening emergency for people with HIV/AIDS across the country. Their response doesn’t lend much confidence as to the commitment of our government to people living with HIV/AIDS, national strategy or not.

By: Bill

Bill — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 14:57:53 +0000

The silence from AIDS Action, National AIDS Fund, National Minority AIDIS Council, Black AIDS Institute, and National Association of People is AIDS is deafening. Guess it just take a couple of invitations to White House receptions to be bought off . . .

And the much touted National AIDS Plan means nothing without the resources to make it real.