Features Blog
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ADAP Watch: AIDS Drug Wait List Hits 4,606
As of January 6, 2012 the wait list to receive lifesaving AIDS medication through the nation’s AIDS Drug Assistance Programs had hit 4,606 people across 12 states.
The number of people waiting to receive medication through state-run AIDS drug programs has increased more than 5,000 percent since “August 2009” according to the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors. The federal government has reacted with little urgency, however, allotting just $25 million in additional dollars to the program for FY 2012.
To help readers keep tabs on the growing ADAP crisis, we are now posting the Read More
Posted on January 10, 2012 at 11:19 am
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People’s State of the State Demands Economic Justice for New Yorkers
Just one day ahead of Governor Cuomo’s “State of the State” Address, Housing Works joined hundreds of activists at a rally outside the Albany State capitol, to present the People’s State of the State rally.
“I hope that it serves as a reminder to Governor Cuomo that there are people living in poverty in NYS and that he cannot cut essential, life-saving services, especially for people living with HIV and AIDS,” says Carmelita Cruz, Director of NYS Advocacy & Organizing for Housing Works. “We will see what the Governor deems as important when his 2012-2013 budget is released later this month.”
This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the People’s State of the State, which announces the economic justice issues …
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:36 pm
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Cuomo’s State Of The State Short on Justice for Transgender New Yorkers
At yesterday’s “State of the State” address, Governor Cuomo recalled his victories on social justice issues like the passage of marriage equality and the closing of several prisons in New York State last year. But while announcing his legislative plans for 2012, passing the GENDA bill for transgender New Yorkers was not among them.
“We were thrilled when GENDA passed the Assembly last June, but disappointed we didn’t get further,” said Carmelita Cruz, Director of NYS Advocacy & Organizing for Housing Works. “So we’ll be back in the Albany this year, fighting for the basic civil rights protects for transgender New Yorkers.”
There are 16 states and Washington, D.C. with nondiscrimination laws for transgender individuals. people in employment. …
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:43 pm
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New Report: Insurance Companies Banking On Health Reform
Remember all those health insurers who said they’d go broke because of the Affordable Care Act? A new study shows they’re richer than ever.
The study conducted by Bloomberg Media showed that 18 health insurance companies in the US “saw their average profit margins expand to 8.24 percent in the six quarters since the overhaul became law, compared with 6.88 percent for the 18 months before it was passed.”
Many of them are shifting their business models to include managing Medicaid and Medicare services, in anticipation of 2014 when the law goes into full effect. The study found that “quarterly revenue from Medicare increased by one third, to $16.39 billion, for the four insurers that reported figures…Medicaid revenue more than doubled to $4.11 …
Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:59 am
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2012 Election Year Resurrects Culture Wars on AIDS, Race and Welfare
The beginning of 2012 feels strangely like 1982, largely because GOP Presidential hopefuls Rick Santorum and Ron Paul have returned to brazen scapegoating of Black people on welfare and people with HIV as a drain on civil society, in order to solidify their base support before last night’s Iowa Caucuses. The scarier part is that it worked.
On Sunday, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) appeared on Fox News, where he defended comments he made in a 1987 book saying people with HIV should be forced to pay for their own care. He defended his earlier comments from 25 years ago by telling Chris Wallace:
“I don’t know how you can change science. Sexually transmitted disease is caused by sexual activity and when …
Posted on January 4, 2012 at 1:41 pm
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Happy Holidays! AIDS Issues Update Returns in January
The AIDS Issues Update will not publish the week of December 26-30. We will return the week of January 2.
The staff of Housing Works wishes you all a Happy Holidays.
Posted on December 22, 2011 at 12:41 pm
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Advocates Plan Response to Syringe Exchange Funding Ban
Shocking many AIDS and harm reduction advocates, last week Congress approved a bill that reinstated the federal ban on syringe exchange funding through fiscal year 2012.
Activists are now left wondering what to do next to push the Congress and President Obama on this issue, which is proven to save many lives and drastically reduce new HIV infections in injection drug users.
“It’s disheartening to see after 12 years of hard work to get this ban lifted in 2009, Congress brought it back with the stroke of a pen,” said Christine Campbell, VP, National Advocacy and Organizing for Housing Works.
Advocates like Ronald Johnson were heartened by how many people took action to try to protect needle exchange funding—an issue …
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 2:16 pm
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Interview: Jeff Crowley on National AIDS Strategy and Leaving ONAP
On December 2, 2011, Housing Works had the opportunity to interview Jeffrey Crowley, MPH, who ends his tenure as President Obama’s Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy(ONAP) and Senior Advisor on Disability Policy this month. Crowley was appointed by President Obama to those positions in 2009. Crowley spoke to us via phone about the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the Affordable Care Act and his legacy at ONAP.
HW: So what do you think have been the major achievements of your time at ONAP?
JC: Well I think that passing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy was a major accomplishment. We think it is a great roadmap to achieving our goals of reducing HIV incidence. Not only that, …
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 11:52 am
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