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In his first televised speech about HIV/AIDS since becoming President, Obama announced that the HIV travel ban will end “just after the New Year.” Obama also signed the Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization and talked about the need to continue to combat the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic. “We’re going to take another step today towards ending that stigma. Twenty-two years ago, in a decision rooted in fear rather than fact, the United States instituted a travel…
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President Barack Obama will announce the end of the HIV travel and immigration ban when he signs the Ryan White CARE Act today, according to Immigration Equality. “There will be a 60-day period, following the President’s announcement, for implementation to be completed. But today’s remarks by the President do, indeed, signal the official end of the ban,” said Steve Ralls, Immigration Equality director of communications. Obama is expected to make the announcement at 11:50am. The…
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As MSNBC host (and longtime AIDS activist!) Rachel Maddow reports, some 90,000 progressives are signing a petition to strip any Democrats of their committee chairs who filibuster health care reform. Maddow says this proposal is backed by “powerful progressive leaders.” And it just might work. If there’s anything Sen. Lieberman and conservative Democrats like more than filibustering, it’s power. Check out Rachel Maddow’s video (below) and sign the petition.
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The State Senate Republicans have proposed cutting all “optional” Medicaid services as a fix to the state’s budget deficit. But for the people who receive these services, they’re anything but optional. For Pamela Bates, having a Medicaid-funded home health aid is the difference between living in her home and being forced into a nursing home. Bates has congestive heart failure and spinal muscular atrophy, a hereditary disease that causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. She…
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This very minute health care reform looks like it’s going to pass with some sort of health care co-op as a public option. But it’s less certain if people living in the U.S. territories will reap the benefits of a public option. The House legislation announced Thursday allows territories to opt into the public option, with people making up to 300 percent of the poverty level receiving subsidies (as opposed to those stateside who get…
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Governor Paterson is calling the Legislature back November 10 to address a $3 billion budget deficit. And while people with AIDS were largely spared in last year’s budget, that happy scenario is less likely this time, will all agencies being asked to cut 11 percent of its budget. And while Paterson’s proposed across-the-board cuts to essential AIDS services and Medicaid are horrible, the Senate Republicans’ “solution” is much worse. Last week Senate Minority Leader Dean…
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Good news! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the regulation to lift the HIV travel and immigration ban. Now the regulation just needs to be approved by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If and when OMB approves the change, this will be the final regulatory step in a more-than decade long nightmare of discrimination against HIV-positive people. The CDC officially approved the change on Thursday, October 22, and OMB…
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Billionaires for Wealthcare brilliantly interrupt health insurer’s meeting by changing the lyrics to “Tomorrow” from Annie (above). Rape victim denied healthcare insurance after taking HIV antiretroviral medication. Paterson calls a special session for Legislature to make budget cuts. HIV-positive Project Runway alum Jack Mackenroth writes an open letter to Oprah about the vilification of HIV-positive people regarding her show about women infected with HIV. New York City is discontinuing providing Christmas gifts to homeless. Hate crime bill (with gender identity inclusion!) passes through Senate. Rep. Anthony Weiner calls on GOP public option opponents to give up Medicare.
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A four year extension of the Ryan White CARE Act passed through Congress Wednesday, and all that’s needed is President Obama’s expected signature. While it is a huge relief that the 530,000 people who rely on the Ryan White CARE Act as the payer of last resort won’t be without care starting next month, it’s essential that Ryan White dollars are used to their fullest potential. Some AIDS advocates were thrilled with this outcome, stating…
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