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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: edfu on July 13, 2010, 07:10:42 am

Title: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: edfu on July 13, 2010, 07:10:42 am
At least one AIDS organization has the balls to say that the Emperor has no clothes.

Over 250 so-called AIDS leaders are attending a White House reception while over 2,200 are on ADAP waiting lists???!!!  That is simply obscene.
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President Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS

AIDS Programs Starved Under President’s National AIDS Strategy

AHF press conference, TUESDAY, July 13th @ Nat’l Press Club 3:30pm—AHF to Criticize WH Strategy in Face of Administration’s Ongoing Indifference to Domestic & Global AIDS Epidemic

Over 2,200 Americans are on waiting lists, denied lifesaving AIDS drugs from hard-hit ADAPs as WH spends 15 months crafting AIDS strategy; Obama offers too little to address AIDS drug crisis and also fails to implement landmark—and prudent—2006 CDC guidelines for routine HIV testing

AIDS Healthcare Foundation will host a press conference Tuesday, July 13th at 3:30 PM Eastern, to criticize President Obama’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) which is being formally released in a White House press conference at 2pm Tuesday. The strategy, 15 months in the making, was crafted as the nation’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) the federal and state funded, state run network of programs that supply lifesaving AIDS drugs to low-income Americans in need, collapsed.

WHAT: Press Conference

WHEN: Tuesday, July 13th 2010
3:30 PM Eastern Time

WHERE: National Press Club
Murrow Room
529 14th Street
Washington, DC 20045

WHO: Michael Weinstein, AHF President
Tom Myers, General Counsel & Chief of Public Affairs for AHF

CONTACT: Ged Kenslea, (323) 791-5526
Lori Yeghiayan, (323) 377-4312

Obama’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy will be formally released at a White House press conference at 2pm Tuesday, followed by a separate White House reception for 250 or so of the nation’s AIDS leaders at 6pm. Many AIDS organizations and advocates—including AHF—have been disappointed by the laggard approach Obama and Administration officials have toward AIDS. AHF will host its press conference to respond to Obama’s AIDS strategy at 3:30pm at the National Press Club (Murrow Room) nearby.  

“The ‘New York Times’ obtained a copy of the President’s AIDS strategy, and from what we’ve learned of it so far, there is really no ‘there’ there,” said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “This strategy is a day late and a dollar short: 15 months in the making, and the White House learned what people in the field have known for years. There is no funding, no ‘how to,’ no real leadership.”

According to a White House press statement, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy “…is a comprehensive plan focused on: 1) reducing the number of people who become infected with HIV, 2) increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes for people living with HIV, and 3) reducing HIV-related health disparities.”  

As of July 9th, there were 2,291 people on waiting lists in 12 states including 605 in Florida—which has the third highest incidence of AIDS in the nation—and which only started its wait list June 1st.

Regarding the 2,200 Americans on waiting lists to receive lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications through the nation’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP): In an effort to address the crisis, Senators Burr, Coburn and Enzi introduced S. 3401, the ACCESS ADAP Act, a bill which provides $126 million in unobligated stimulus funds to eliminate waiting lists through Fiscal Year 2010.  The bill failed to gain the support of the Administration or Congress.  The $126 million was a number provided by state AIDS directors as the amount of additional federal funding required to meet current program needs given the number of people on waiting lists, expected number of new patients and budget cuts per state.  

“Under President Obama, the CDC’s landmark—and prudent—2006 guidelines recommending routine testing for HIV for all those ages 13-64 have also not been implemented nor even really prioritized,” added Weinstein. “All around, this is a real disappointment.”

AHF to Roll Out “Who’s Better on AIDS?” Obama/Bush Comparison Ad Campaign in DC

As part of ongoing advocacy efforts to spur President Obama and the Administration to do more on AIDS, AHF is rolling out an ad headlined “Who’s Better on AIDS?” The ad—which will appear in the print and online versions of ‘Politico’ as well as at 16 bus shelter advertisements in Washington near the White House—features a split screen head shot of Presidents Obama and George W. Bush merged into one—half of Obama’s face on the left of the ad, and half of Bush’s on the right. President Bush created PEPFAR (the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), the successful US global AIDS program, which has also been neglected and underfunded on Obama’s watch.

Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Jeffreyj on July 14, 2010, 01:56:12 am
It's a national disgrace. period. I'm going to contact MSNBC. Does anyone have a direct phone number. It would be very helpful . I intend to raise bloody hell!
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: mecch on July 14, 2010, 08:02:29 am
A plan based on test and treat - but no attention to the testing, and no money for the treatment.  WTF?

IS THIS SOME KIND OF SICK JOKE?

WHO IS PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE for this piece of shit?  Obama himself? 
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: veritas on July 14, 2010, 08:53:21 am


 I fear this program will go the way of the "Just say no" program to drugs. We all know how well that worked. SUPPLY THE MEDICATIONS, DAMNIT !!!

v
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: edfu on July 14, 2010, 07:35:38 pm
Housing Works, a NYC AIDS service organization, also speaks out:

“The president’s plan is so flawed that it might actually represent a step backwards in combating HIV and AIDS in the United States,” said Housing Works President and CEO Charles King. “Since his days on the campaign trail, President Obama has repeatedly said that he wants to lead the fight against AIDS. Unless he commits significant new resources intended to make major inroads against the spread of HIV, he will be regarded as a leader who did next to nothing about the most devastating epidemic of our time. The president’s plan sets insufficiently ambitious goals for reducing the number of annual HIV infections in the U.S. while, at the same time, the plan fails to provide adequate funding to reach even the modest HIV prevention and treatment goals that it sets out."
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: mecch on July 14, 2010, 07:39:24 pm
Yeah, and read this thread, and be very afraid, and angry:

http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=33549.0

Why do I feel like there is some very real, entrenched stigma in the USA that ANY administration won't deal universally with HIV.  

My recent HIV infection has had some impact on me financially but its very manageable, here in middle of Europe.  If I were back home, seems like there is a chance I'd be left for dead - or clubbed into poverty. And its all so fucking unnecessary in a rich country.  

Doesn't America see that here is a very nasty disease that can be fought so effectively, and keep down the price of having it, by keeping people healthy and working and living successfully????
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 07:43:58 pm
As someone who initially supported Obama - I have to say that he has been/become a HUGE disappointment.  He will most likely be a one-term president.  Hillary would have been much better.  I just hope his lack of action(s) don't lead us to have a conservative Republican president on the next go round.  But, then again, from what I'm seeing, Bush (with all his flaws - and there were many) had a better record on HIV/AIDS funding.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: mecch on July 14, 2010, 07:53:12 pm
Its freaking bewildering.  The Obama administration could just throw an immediate couple of hundred millions into ADAP and be considered the "big man". 

I don't get the penny pinching AT ALL.  Is it about politics?  Is it - god forbid - something symbolic -- "ADAP is welfare" or something like that? - and he doesn't want to support welfare type spending?? 

It is a pity the black community -- churches and black leaders, for example -- can't directly take Obama on and shame him about this, in addition to the AIDS service community. 

I think we need to get people with INFLUENCE and exposure to talk about the ridiculousness of it all.  Oprah, etc.

I wonder if Anderson Cooper did a similar story like the one he just did from HAITI - showing warehouses of food undistributed, and kids starving in orphanages.  Its not that different. The fucking medicine exists. The sick had nothing to do with the cost of the medicine being so high!!  Its sitting on shelves and people are sick. Its so disheartening. 

Just a few news shows with reports about people on waiting lists. 
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 08:01:36 pm
@ Mecch - Obama has been extremely slow to move on anything connected with gay/lesbian issues - and while HIV/AIDS isn't limited to gays/lesbians, there still is a stigma here in the US that connects it predominantly to gays/lesbians.  Obama catered to gays/lesbians during the campaign and has pretty much neglected us since getting elected.  Personally, I think there are underlying issues based on rumors that he had same sex encounters when he was using drugs during his youth.  I think either him or his advisers are weary of appearing to be too friendly in issues that are even remotely connected or perceived by some to be related to sexual orientation for this reason.

Considering the disproportionate amount of African-Americans with HIV/AIDS you would think that there would be more of an outcry from that community to him; however, it may also be that the black Americans do not want to appear to be "turning" on the first African-American President - or the perception of turning on him.  Many of my African-American friends have told me that they voted for him only because of his race and the same friends are very slow to criticize him - if at all.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 14, 2010, 08:12:06 pm
Personally, I think there are underlying issues based on rumors that he had same sex encounters when he was using drugs during his youth. 

Can you honestly be any more retarded?
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 08:14:26 pm
Can you honestly be any more retarded?
Only if I lived in Philadelphia  ;D
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: mecch on July 14, 2010, 08:15:08 pm
He's married and has children and is the president of the US. Who cared if he diddled a bit with guys in his wanton youth!
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 08:19:07 pm
He's married and has children and is the president of the US. Who cared if he diddled a bit with guys in his wanton youth!
It wouldn't matter to me at all --- I was just pointing out that he has really backed away from being a supporter on issues important to gays/lesbians and there were rumors publicized about youthful experiences - given how politics works here in the US, that may have contributed to some of his back peddling and lack of support/attention to an issue that literally has the potential to result in the senseless deaths of many Americans.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 14, 2010, 08:21:13 pm
Yes, obviously you could indeed be more retarded.  Carry on.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 08:23:40 pm
Yes, obviously you could indeed be more retarded.  Carry on.
Love you Ms. P (and I am from PA, thus the hit on Philly) --- I will work on my retardedness so as not to be so  ;)
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 14, 2010, 08:28:19 pm
Love you Ms. P (and I am from PA, thus the hit on Philly) --- I will work on my retardedness so as not to be so  ;)

So tell me, when the FLORIDA LEGISLATURE cut the STATE portion of ADAP creating a waiting list in Florida, did you get off your sofa and drive up to Tallahassee?  Simple yes or no.

Better yet, do you even know that ADAP is funded by BOTH the federal government and the state government?  Did Obama get on his knees and give Gov. Christie a juicy blow job to get him to be mean to those pozzie meth heads in Fort Lauderdale right before Gay Pride this year?  I bet that's what really happened.  I'm glad you cleared this up for everyone tonight.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: mecch on July 14, 2010, 08:33:20 pm
Enough with the Obama sucking dick rumours.

I guess the serious question is - why are HIV+ people the pawns in a game between who is going to pay for what?  Obviously the insurance overhaul isn't going to cure the problem, if the income limits for ADAP and medicaid are so low, but the pooled premiums are so high.
States will squeeze, the national government will squeeze, insurance companies will squeeze. HIV+ people will be squeezed dry, fragile, broken, dead.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Hellraiser on July 14, 2010, 08:36:20 pm
So you can make up to 43k and be covered by ADAP, once you break 43k you now have to pay for the high risk pool which is roughly 6-10k a year, meaning you now drop down to making 33k a year again, so it's in your best interest to stay making 43k a year unless you can go up to 53k a year in one big leap.

This makes sense, right?
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 08:37:34 pm
So tell me, when the FLORIDA LEGISLATURE cut the STATE portion of ADAP creating a waiting list in Florida, did you get off your sofa and drive up to Tallahassee?  Simple yes or no.

Better yet, do you even know that ADAP is funded by BOTH the federal government and the state government?  Did Obama get on his knees and give Gov. Christie a juicy blow job to get him to be mean to those pozzie meth heads in Fort Lauderdale right before Gay Pride this year?  I bet that's what really happened.  I'm glad you cleared this up for everyone tonight.
A) Yes - (didn't drive - but called and wrote actual letters - and still continuing to take action)
B) Don't think Gov. Christ got a BJ - but him and the big O did hug - Gov has since became an independent as he is running for Senator
C) Yes - I know ADAP is state and federal funding -- seeing as I work in a governmental agency at the county level and previously worked at state level and did first internship in 1992 at an ASO, I'm pretty familiar with funding streams
D) I'm glad I was able to clear things up for everyone - although, I'm sure there might be an unjustly sarcastic drag queen or two in Philadelphia that feels the need to incendiary in her remarks with no personal provocation for doing so - but then again that may be par for the course.
Still love you  8)   Big kisses!
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 08:40:20 pm
So you can make up to 43k and be covered by ADAP, once you break 43k you now have to pay for the high risk pool which is roughly 6-10k a year, meaning you now drop down to making 33k a year again, so it's in your best interest to stay making 43k a year unless you can go up to 53k a year in one big leap.

This makes sense, right?
I know Trey - when I first went on meds I had an appointment for ADAP as my salary was slightly within range - then when I took my new position my salary went way over the cutoff and I had to wait 90 days for insurance to kick in -- I almost wanted to ask my employer to lower my salary to within the limits until my insurance kicked in.  -- Definitely doesn't make any sense.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 14, 2010, 08:40:57 pm
unjustly sarcastic drag queen or two in Philadelphia that feels the need to incendiary in her remarks with no personal provocation for doing so - but then again that may be par for the course.


It was brought up because you dragged in a giant non-sequitor (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=33523.msg414441#msg414441) to the thread several posts below, dragging the entire discussion off course.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Hellraiser on July 14, 2010, 08:42:44 pm
I know Trey - when I first went on meds I had an appointment for ADAP as my salary was slightly within range - then when I took my new position my salary went way over the cutoff and I had to wait 90 days for insurance to kick in -- I almost wanted to ask my employer to lower my salary to within the limits until my insurance kicked in.  -- Definitely doesn't make any sense.

How did you get Health Insurance within 90 days of starting a new job with a pre-existing condition?
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: bocker3 on July 14, 2010, 08:45:29 pm
How did you get Health Insurance within 90 days of starting a new job with a pre-existing condition?

Pre-existing conditions don't count if you've been steadily insured -- part of the HIPPA law.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 08:47:04 pm
It was brought up because you dragged in a giant non-sequitor to the thread several posts below, dragging the entire discussion off course.
For that I apologize - I am trying to get it back on course - my bad (Forgive me?)
Oh - and just like the phyllo dough, you just had me looking up non-sequitor -- thank you - I always come away learning a new word or two.

At any rate, I was a strong supporter of President Obama and still want to be a strong supporter - I also know that he can't do it alone.  Many states are in a financial crisis and we know that the US debt is just unbelievable - there are no easy answers - I guess as the title of the thread states, I am just looking and hoping for the President to take the lead and start generating some real conversation, solutions and resulting actions to alleviate/eliminate this crisis, which has the potential to grow exponentially at a quick rate.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 08:48:48 pm
How did you get Health Insurance within 90 days of starting a new job with a pre-existing condition?
Although I didn't have insurance before I took the position (because Ryan White, I guess, is not considered insurance and neither was the hospital system's charity plan) my employer's insurance did not have a Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Clause - I was very fortunate.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Matty the Damned on July 14, 2010, 09:37:35 pm
As someone who initially supported Obama - I have to say that he has been/become a HUGE disappointment.  He will most likely be a one-term president.  Hillary would have been much better.  I just hope his lack of action(s) don't lead us to have a conservative Republican president on the next go round.  But, then again, from what I'm seeing, Bush (with all his flaws - and there were many) had a better record on HIV/AIDS funding.

Politics is the art of being disappointed. There's an old saying - campaign in poetry but govern in prose.

Obama will be a one term president if liberals like you shit the bed just because things have gotten a bit rough. This is always the problem with the Left in any western democracy.

Moreover I don't understand how you have connected suggestions that Obama may have played the field as a yoof with the idea that he's now gone a bit soft on gay/lesbian or HIV/AIDS issues.

Surely a more reasonable explanation would be that there are mid-term elections later this year and realpolitik dictates minimising opportunities for the lunatic right to energise their base any more than they are already?

MtD
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: max123 on July 14, 2010, 09:45:13 pm
one of the people i know at the dept of health was just telling me that ryan white funds are drying up...can you imagine?
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 09:46:21 pm
Politics is the art of being disappointed. There's an old saying - campaign in poetry but govern in prose.

Obama will be a one term president if liberals like you shit the bed just because things have gotten a bit rough. This is always the problem with the Left in any western democracy.

Moreover I don't understand how you have connected suggestions that Obama may have played the field as a yoof with the idea that he's now gone a bit soft on gay/lesbian or HIV/AIDS issues.

Surely a more reasonable explanation would be that there are mid-term elections later this year and realpolitik dictates minimising opportunities for the lunatic right to energise their base any more than they are already?

MtD
I agree Matty that the November elections play a big part in Obama's decisions - the whole house is up for election,  I also think that the feds want to see the states step up --- people here complain about there being too much federal government interference and state's and localiities want to be in control - but when it comes to the financing of needed programs then the states and local governments want the feds to step in (Have their cake and eat it too).  No unit of government wants to be the one to raise taxes - especially with elections around the corner.  I think Obama is choosing his battles carefully - that said, we typically look to the President to be the leader.

Oh, and by the way, I'm more of a moderate then a liberal.  While I voted for Obama - I am a registered Republican - but have never got caught up on the party as much as the stance on the issues.  I actually need to change my registration to reflect my stance more which would be independent.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 14, 2010, 09:49:57 pm
one of the people i know at the dept of health was just telling me that ryan white funds are drying up...can you imagine?
My contacts in the Dept of Homeland Security say that drying up ADAP funding is just a precursor to tapping the phones of pozzies in the interest of national security and placing them all in FEMA concentration camps, once jihadists are evacuated from Guantanemo.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: max123 on July 14, 2010, 09:52:59 pm
My contacts in the Dept of Homeland Security say that drying up ADAP funding is just a precursor to tapping the phones of pozzies in the interest of national security and placing them all in FEMA concentration camps, once jihadists are evacuated from Guantanemo.

LOLz ;)
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 14, 2010, 09:53:57 pm
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/Retard-Girl-Grab-your-ankles-Bow-to.jpg)
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: max123 on July 14, 2010, 09:57:50 pm
(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/Retard-Girl-Grab-your-ankles-Bow-to.jpg)

yeah, and don't forget the lube (and condom, of course...)  ::)
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Matty the Damned on July 14, 2010, 10:01:44 pm
I agree Matty that the November elections play a big part in Obama's decisions - the whole house is up for election,  I also think that the feds want to see the states step up --- people here complain about there being too much federal government interference and state's and localiities want to be in control - but when it comes to the financing of needed programs then the states and local governments want the feds to step in (Have their cake and eat it too).  No unit of government wants to be the one to raise taxes - especially with elections around the corner.  I think Obama is choosing his battles carefully - that said, we typically look to the President to be the leader.

Oh, and by the way, I'm more of a moderate then a liberal.  While I voted for Obama - I am a registered Republican - but have never got caught up on the party as much as the stance on the issues.  I actually need to change my registration to reflect my stance more which would be independent.

Not just the House, but one third of your Senate too, am I right? I believe there's a particularly nasty Senate race going on in the Great State of Florida right now.

Believe me I appreciate your sense of disappointment. We face a federal election here, probably in the next 6 weeks (the actual date is a matter for the Prime Minister) and naturally the main centre left party (of which I am a member) here is softening on all manner of issues which might freak out the average Australian voter.

But these things are what they are. Surely President Obama is a better option for people like you than that of your own party? How will handing Obama a Congress he simply cannot work with advance the causes (no matter how incrementally) that are important to you?

MtD
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 10:12:19 pm
Not just the House, but one third of your Senate too, am I right? I believe there's a particularly nasty Senate race going on in the Great State of Florida right now.

Believe me I appreciate your sense of disappointment. We face a federal election here, probably in the next 6 weeks (the actual date is a matter for the Prime Minister) and naturally the main centre left party (of which I am a member) here is softening on all manner of issues which might freak out the average Australian voter.

But these things are what they are. Surely President Obama is a better option for people like you than that of your own party? How will handing Obama a Congress he simply cannot work with advance the causes (no matter how incrementally) that are important to you?

MtD
Yes - we do have a nasty senate race here - Governor Christ actually left the Republican party to become an independent - so he could stay in the race.

We would and will definitely fair worse if Republicans take control.  Unfortunately, I think they will - which means a lot of the President's agenda (if he is still following one) will not move forward.  The economy is still so fragile here that no one in office wants to a) increase spending to meet needs or b) raise taxes.  Government can only do so much (at least if people still want to call it  a democracy) - There has to be more incentive for private sector to step up, including faith-based organizations, philanthropists, corporate entities...particularly when some are making record profits and the number of individuals with fortunes over $1 billion dollars is steady increasing. 
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: RAB on July 14, 2010, 10:20:54 pm

But these things are what they are. Surely President Obama is a better option for people like you than that of your own party? How will handing Obama a Congress he simply cannot work with advance the causes (no matter how incrementally) that are important to you?

MtD

The man shoots, the man scores!

God help me but Matty is absolutely correct.

Let's do away with a couple of misnotions that have been presented here:

1.  The President can not simply write a check for $200. million dollars and make this problem go away, as one member suggested.  He has limited ability to ask his various cabinet members to transfer funds from one program to another as a stop gap measure.  But when it comes to actual appropriations?  The President submits a budget and congress passes on it after they've had their say.

2.  ADAP (as Philly so rightlfully pointed out) is a joint operation between the Federal Government and the State Governmrents.  The problem here doesn't rest solely with the Federal side, there is equal responsibility on the State side.  I suspect that those states with the longest waiting lists are located somewhere in the red area.

3.  The President could ask congress for an emergency appropriation to help through this crisis.  It would NEVER pass the Senate (as Matty alluded to) in an election year.  I'm not even certain it would get through the house.

So when I read things like "Obama fails to lead", "Obama will be a one term President", I can only roll my eyes and say "what the hell are you people thinking?".

Suggesting that George W. Bush was better?

Drinking from the Kool-Aid and saying it's all about some sort of conspiracy to cover up these (never heard them before) rumors that he dallied with a man or two?

Give me a frickin break.

If you want to have a serious conversation then I'm all for it.

But in order to do so we have to focus on the facts of how our government decides to spend money.

To pile on the President for things that are essentially out of his control, who's responsibility rests primarily with Congress, to suggest . . . . .oh shit I just give up!

This is NOT precisely a failure of leadership (though I too am frustrated), this is the reality of the American political system.

One term?

God help us if that comes to be the truth.

RAB 
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Matty the Damned on July 14, 2010, 10:33:56 pm
Yes - we do have a nasty senate race here - Governor Christ actually left the Republican party to become an independent - so he could stay in the race.

We would and will definitely fair worse if Republicans take control.  Unfortunately, I think they will - which means a lot of the President's agenda (if he is still following one) will not move forward.

Then the prospect of a Republican take over of the Congress should motivate you to action. You have a vote, consider carefully how you will cast that vote. Gird loins, steel yourself for the fight ahead - that sort of stuff.

Remember that elections are won by those who turn up.

I think Crist is probably more of a problem for the Democrats than the GOP - he seems to be positioning himself in the centre somewhere, so I'm thinking he's more likely to nab votes from nervous Demonkrats than the other lot.

But I could be wrong there. He might just lock up the moderate Republicans. Your first past the post voting system confuses me - so I'll leave my uninformed speculation at that.

The man shoots, the man scores!

God help me but Matty is absolutely correct.

I know baby, I'm scared too. ;)

MtD
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 14, 2010, 10:41:13 pm
I agree Matty - if ever there was a time that the right to vote and to exercise that right was important it is now.

Charlie Christ probably will get a good amount of the Democratic vote as he tends to be more of a moderate and he has the support of many Democrats.

I have met him a few times at different venues and his heart seems to be - for the most part - in the right place.  He is actually a man of more reason than many others in the race.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Matty the Damned on July 14, 2010, 10:44:27 pm
I agree Matty - if ever there was a time that the right to vote and to exercise that right was important it is now.

Charlie Christ probably will get a good amount of the Democratic vote as he tends to be more of a moderate and he has the support of many Democrats.

I have met him a few times at different venues and his heart seems to be - for the most part - in the right place.  He is actually a man of more reason than many others in the race.

I'm sure he's a fucking peach, but can he win? If not aren't votes cast for Charlie just wasted? Strategic voting is what I'm talking about.

MtD
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 14, 2010, 10:47:44 pm
At some point Crist will have to say which party he will caucus with should he win the race.  He'll say Democrats I suspect, as that's most of what he's siphoning off to be winning in polling right now (though only by 2 points), and once he says that he'll pull in any Dems sitting on the fence except the hardcore Meek supporters.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: edfu on July 14, 2010, 11:06:08 pm
Regarding the 2,200 Americans on waiting lists to receive lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications through the nation’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP): In an effort to address the crisis, Senators Burr, Coburn and Enzi introduced S. 3401, the ACCESS ADAP Act, a bill which provides $126 million in unobligated stimulus funds to eliminate waiting lists through Fiscal Year 2010.  The bill failed to gain the support of the Administration or Congress.  The $126 million was a number provided by state AIDS directors as the amount of additional federal funding required to meet current program needs given the number of people on waiting lists, expected number of new patients and budget cuts per state.  

Those three senators are Republicans.  If Obama chose to lead, instead of just to speak, his support for S. 3401 would have been enough to convince Congress, even the Senate.  It is naive to think that the House would not also have supported the emergency appropriation.  Why did he not support S. 3401?  He foolishly attempted so many times to achieve nonpartisan support for so many of his goals and ended up severely watering down all of them, when it was obviously apparent to everyone but him that the Republicans would always vote no.  S. 3401 could have been a significant nonpartisan action, and he failed to follow through--because the compromise didn't originate with him?  
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 14, 2010, 11:10:55 pm
Those three senators are Republicans.  If Obama chose to lead, instead of just to speak, his support for S. 3401 would have been enough to convince Congress, even the Senate.  It is naive to think that the House would not also have supported the emergency appropriation.  Why did he not support S. 3401?  He foolishly attempted so many times to achieve nonpartisan support for so many of his goals and ended up severely watering down all of them, when it was obviously apparent to everyone but him that the Republicans would always vote no.  S. 3401 could have been a significant nonpartisan action, and he failed to follow through--because the compromise didn't originate with him?   

Tell us why Pelosi didn't support it either and you'll have your answer, Edina.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: edfu on July 15, 2010, 12:32:14 am
Nancy Pelosi--who is afraid of the Tea Baggers in spite of the fact that her San Francisco district has one of the highest HIV-infection rates in the country--is not the President of the United States, who has executive powers and a "bully pulpit" she does not have.  Unfortunately, the current President does not know how--or refuses--to use that "bully pulpit."  We have seen this time and time again. That is precisely why he is not a leader but only an orator. 

Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin, and many other members of the House, sent a letter to the White House, urging support for the emergency appropriation.  The only response they received was a promise to increase federal ADAP funding beginning with June 2011!  If the Administration supported the bill, it would easily have passed the House, Pelosi nonwithstanding.  There were enough Democrats who supported it, and there were enough House Republicans who would have done so, especially since the emergency appropriation originated with Republicans in the Senate. 

It is sad to see you offering so many excuses, time and time again, for a tragic failure of leadership when so many lives are at stake.   
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: edfu on July 15, 2010, 01:13:37 am
No one thinks Obama is God, perfect, or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. We do, however, expect him to at least try to accomplish the goals he set out for himself during the campaign. People are not upset with President Obama because he didn't accomplish everything. They are upset that he often doesn't seem to try to get the most out of a deal. He settles for less at the outset, when the political dynamic would have permitted him to get far more than what he settled for.

Yes, now the President isn't doing very well in the polls, and the Democrats in Congress are running scared. But it wasn't always this way. A good year-plus ago, when we were first talking about a stimulus and health care reform, the President was at 70% in the polls, the Dems in Congerss were riding high, and the Republicans were on the verge of committing mass suicide. There was no excuse, then, for settling for a weaker stimulus than was needed (the results of which, nearly 10% unemployment, are dogging us all today). And there was no need to shove the public option overboard from the outset (the President made clear that he wasn't going to demand its inclusion). So while it's convenient to argue that "now" the President has no choice but to compromise, he had a choice a year ago, and he compromised at the git-go anyway. It's who he is as a person, and it's the reason so many are so frustrated. (And one could argue that a good part of the reason the Democrats are in such trouble today is because of the President's penchant for capitulation.)

This isn't about people's unacceptably high expectations. We simply expected him to try to do what he promised.

Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 01:35:50 am
Aside from the fact that you repeat verbatim what you read on Americablog in your 2nd post just now, down to the actual sentence structure, your question previously was "Why did he not support S. 3401?"  My comment bringing Pelosi into the equation is relevant, but only if you look at the larger picture.  To use stimulus money for this, as championed by Republicans, who champion such maneuvers every week (think unemployment extension currently) would open a Pandora's box, especially when there's speculation of a double dip recession and would therefore exhaust this.  This is why nobody in a leadership position is willing to do it, instead they'll dribble out money like they did in June ($30 million) and 2 weeks ago ($25 million) in an effort to increase pressure for a supplemental appropriation.  

However, keep in mind that this can't prevent a governor like Christie from lowering eligibility rates and cutting the state portion of ADAP.  In fact, one could make the argument that's exactly WHY he did with eligibility rates instead of a simple waiting list, because then when funds are further freed up he doesn't have to return rates to what they were previously.  In order to prevent such things one would have to re-write the entire ADAP legislation from scratch and federalize the entire program, which of course is exactly what's needed to avoid continual problems every time there's a recession.  As I'm sure a retired curmudgeon like you may recall, there was this same issue with waiting lists just seven years ago after the dot.com recession.

It's not a matter of being an apologist, it's a matter of seeing the forest for the trees.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: edfu on July 15, 2010, 01:44:51 am
a retired curmudgeon like you

Is that the best you can do?  What is that they say about sticks and bones...?
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 01:49:14 am
Is that the best you can do?  What is that they say about sticks and bones...?

I love you darling, but put the klonnie down.  You consume in a night what takes me a week, and that's a lot! :)
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: edfu on July 15, 2010, 02:03:15 am
I haven't taken Klonopin in over a year.  Even when I was, I was taking only a miniscule 1 mg. per day, prescribed by my NYC psychiatrist, who said it would "take the rough edges away."  All I take now is Seroquel, which works for my serious insomnia, exacerbated by the ageist promulgations from the likes of you, who haven't met a drug you haven't been able to convert to serious "recreational" excesses.  Perhaps when you're free of drug abuse, we can have a rational conversation.   
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: mecch on July 15, 2010, 06:51:34 am
The economy is still so fragile here that no one in office wants to a) increase spending to meet needs or b) raise taxes.  Government can only do so much (at least if people still want to call it  a democracy) - There has to be more incentive for private sector to step up, including faith-based organizations, philanthropists, corporate entities...particularly when some are making record profits and the number of individuals with fortunes over $1 billion dollars is steady increasing.  

What crap!

1) A social welfare state can be sustained if spending is cut elsewhere - MILITARY!  And revenues are raised - TAX THE RICH.

2) Americans ARE a generous lot of people, compared to other first world countries. But churches, foundations, charity --- its obviously not going to add up to a safety net, anymore, if indeed there ever was one, in some dewy eyed American myth about the past.  

3) Its hideously laughable to suggest that corporations in the 21st century will take on any responsibility for the well-being of their own workers, let alone society at large!!!!  Local business maybe, but not big corporations, which see themselves as International and not bound or responsible to ANY local or national population - only to a global group of shareholders.

There are really only simple things to do and American goverment can't muster the integrity to alter its identity a little bit
Reign in Corporate Greed by regulation and taxation.
Tax the rich.
Find other tax revenues (perhaps a way to tax conspicuous consumption of....)
Legislate social equality and basic human rights (livable wage, health care, education)
Spend less on the military.

It really is not rocket science.

_______
Well my silly "marxist" rant aside, I agree with RAP et al on the intricacies of how to address the challenge in the reality of executive versus legislative branch, and national versus states.  I do however also agree there is a question of leadership and the bully pulpit and the current role of the President in "leading" the way to a more equitable distribution of a great country's wealth.  The public option case in point.  As it stands, too many people in the USA get the shaft on a number of human rights and civil rights.
_______

http://www.nhchc.org/humanright.html

Article 25

   1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

_______

Since the drugs exists - it would seem that there is a human right to the medicine, since they are part of the standard of care in the person's country and contribute to an adequate standard of living.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: bocker3 on July 15, 2010, 07:55:31 am
What crap!

1) A social welfare state can be sustained if spending is cut elsewhere - MILITARY!  And revenues are raised - TAX THE RICH.

Anyone who thinks that the US is going to create a social welfare state in the mold of many European countries is clearly living in a dream world.  Right or wrong -- it simply is not EVER going to happen.  Yes, we are closer to it than many would like to admit, but we aren't going to get there. 
Military spending can and should be cut -- but not gutted like most of the far left would like -- nor should it be.  If the US DID severely cut it's military, Europe would scream because then they would all have to start spending more in order to insure that their "foreign priorities" were protected. 
Finally, the "TAX THE RICH" shrill is getting old.  It is to the far left what the "NO NEW TAXES" is to the right.  Simply put -- a wrong headed approach.  Should the well-off pay some more -- yes.  Should everyone else pay some more too -- YES.  Should we actually look into spending cuts (not just military) and increasing revenue -- YES.  The first line for both sides is to have the OTHER SIDE shoulder the pain.  This has to stop or we will continue to get what we've been getting -- NOTHING.

I know this was off the OP topic -- but I go crazy when I read people who don't actually live in anything near an actual reality.

Mike
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Ann on July 15, 2010, 08:02:49 am
Can you honestly be any more retarded?

Yes, obviously you could indeed be more retarded.  Carry on.

(http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af197/bedstuy65/Retard-Girl-Grab-your-ankles-Bow-to.jpg)


As I'm sure a retired curmudgeon like you may recall, there was this same issue with waiting lists just seven years ago after the dot.com recession.


Philly, your attacks and name calling are obvious attempts at starting a flamewar. Knock it off.

This is a warning - and I'll be watching you.

Ann
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: David_CA on July 15, 2010, 08:21:58 am
Thanks for saying that, RAB.  Sometimes I feel like people are disappointed when they woke up on  January 21, 2009 and the world was basically the same as it was the day before.


The man shoots, the man scores!

God help me but Matty is absolutely correct.

Let's do away with a couple of misnotions that have been presented here:

1.  The President can not simply write a check for $200. million dollars and make this problem go away, as one member suggested.  He has limited ability to ask his various cabinet members to transfer funds from one program to another as a stop gap measure.  But when it comes to actual appropriations?  The President submits a budget and congress passes on it after they've had their say.

2.  ADAP (as Philly so rightlfully pointed out) is a joint operation between the Federal Government and the State Governmrents.  The problem here doesn't rest solely with the Federal side, there is equal responsibility on the State side.  I suspect that those states with the longest waiting lists are located somewhere in the red area.

3.  The President could ask congress for an emergency appropriation to help through this crisis.  It would NEVER pass the Senate (as Matty alluded to) in an election year.  I'm not even certain it would get through the house.

So when I read things like "Obama fails to lead", "Obama will be a one term President", I can only roll my eyes and say "what the hell are you people thinking?".

Suggesting that George W. Bush was better?

Drinking from the Kool-Aid and saying it's all about some sort of conspiracy to cover up these (never heard them before) rumors that he dallied with a man or two?

Give me a frickin break.

If you want to have a serious conversation then I'm all for it.

But in order to do so we have to focus on the facts of how our government decides to spend money.

To pile on the President for things that are essentially out of his control, who's responsibility rests primarily with Congress, to suggest . . . . .oh shit I just give up!

This is NOT precisely a failure of leadership (though I too am frustrated), this is the reality of the American political system.

One term?

God help us if that comes to be the truth.

RAB 
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: mecch on July 15, 2010, 08:30:25 am
Of course America can have a more equitable distribution of wealth AND social welfare. And its the President's role to lead the direction.
Don't the names Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Johnson mean anything to you, Bocker?  America CAN change its path, its established identity.  It's done so several times.  You are what the Swiss call a "neinsager".
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Ann on July 15, 2010, 08:41:05 am
You are what the Swiss call a "neinsager".

Or what an English speaker would call a "naysayer". Mecch, this is borderline name-calling and as I warned Philly about name-calling earlier, I'm going to warn you too - although this is a milder warning.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 15, 2010, 09:00:04 am
In going back over the posts, I think (smell the burning of my brain??) that it was the OP's intent to show a lack of leadership by President Obama on this particular issue (ADAP funding and intent to champion support of the National Strategy through action translating into funding - whether it be federal, state, local, private).

I am not bashing the President as a whole.  As I would not want to be in his shoes.  Politics has, is and always will be just that - politics.  "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." 

The main points of my responses (albeit when I strayed - for which I once again apologize and ask for not just forgiveness) is that many Americans (and it appears the OP as well) feel that the President is not showing leadership.

I agree that the solution to the current crisis in not as easy or "do-able" as the President writing a check for $200 million; I agree that corporate America and those with financial resources are not going to just hand over the funds necessary to alleviate the crisis; and I agree that Americans are not going to support any type of major movement towards a socialist type of government.

American politics is built on a two party system (with "sub-parties" emerging from within) with a distinct purpose of serving as a check and balance, if you will, thus laying a foundation for conflicting ideologies and disputes over which direction the country should move - not just on this issue, but on most other issues as well.

However, great leaders are able not so much to generate a consensus of which direction to go to solve a problem/crisis, but are able to convey that there is a crisis and the necessity for some type of action to be taken to address that crisis and the benefit to the nation as a whole in doing so, as well as the consequences to the nation as a whole that failure to act will have.  This is where I believe Obama is falling short on this issue and where my frustration is coming in as well as the frustration of others.

I do have hope though that the message will be conveyed and that solutions will be proposed by both sides - because I have seen it happen in the past with other issues.  I am only saddened and frightened by the thought of those who will have to die due to lack of care and the overall impact it will have to the fabric of the United States before some type of leadership occurs; consensus recognition of the need to act occurs; and solutions are proposed.  :(
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: veritas on July 15, 2010, 10:30:50 am

Although I fully understand the difficulty in writing a check for 200,000,000 to fund medication politically, I shake my head, since the cost of lifetime care for 1 person with hiv/aids is hovering around the 600,000 dollar level. Multiply that figure by the number of hiv positive persons in the US.

The healthcare burden is incredible and NOT sustainable. Be very afraid!

v


Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: randym431 on July 15, 2010, 10:39:57 am
As for Hillary I'd say GO FOR IT LADY !!!
Local news here in the corn state, besides Obama vs Hitler billboards, is that HIV cases have and are increasing.
The lack of attention, and the assumption that meds equal a cure, has people taking risks more so now than ever.
Really sad...
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 10:47:33 am
Hillary would be doing absolutely nothing different.  In fact, almost the entire staffing of the administration would be absolutely the same.  And the Clintons are no better on any LBTG issue either.

Maybe everyone here wishes John McCain and Sarah were in control!
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Hellraiser on July 15, 2010, 10:49:36 am
Hillary would be doing absolutely nothing different.  In fact, almost the entire staffing of the administration would be absolutely the same.  And the Clintons are no better on any LBTG issue either.

Maybe everyone here wishes John McCain and Sarah were in control!

Come on Philly, really?  You can't presume Hillary would be doing nothing different and obviously no one here wants the McCain/Palin option.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 11:04:55 am
Come on Philly, really?  You can't presume Hillary would be doing nothing different and obviously no one here wants the McCain/Palin option.

Hillary, just on ADAP or her versus the entire Obama/Pelosi legislative accomplishments in 18 months?

If Hillary had won her administration would have taken that entire 18 months just to get organized, if how she ran her campaign is any indication.  Some people here have short memories and/or didn't read enough of the inside game that went on with her advisors in the multitude of post-game analysis news articles and books.

If it's just the ADAP issue then there are still more moving parts involved like I previously stated.

If anyone here bothered to read this article/interview (http://www.poz.com/articles/exclusive_adap_crisis_401_18672.shtml) you might see several things are institutional issues and not solved by just writing a check.  As I stated earlier, there have been two amounts released recently -- $30 million in June, and $25 million two weeks ago.  We've ALL yet to see what effect that will result in as the waiting list issue isn't like a giant on/off switch.  There are individual states involved, because that's how ADAP works.  Obama isn't the Führer, not is any President, regardless of what the teabaggers write on their stupid signs.

Quote
In June, the Obama administration announced it was giving $30 million to HIV prevention for the current year. Can part of that money go to supplying ADAP meds on the theory that treatment is prevention?

Schmid: We don’t have all the details yet. We hear it’s not part of ADAP money, but we don’t know.

Arnold: In theory, yes, but it’s a different funding stream than ADAP.

Hypothetically, if 2,000 people are on waiting lists and without meds and, as NASTAD says, the average monthly drug costs per person is $1,003, then the immediate need for medication is like $2 million a month, or $24 million for one year. That’s not close to the $126 million figure HIV/AIDS advocates are asking for. What about prioritizing paying for needed meds to solve the immediate crisis and working on the larger problems in the background later, is that feasible?

Arnold: Probably no. The damage that’s been done by the shrinking federal contribution the past few years obviously undermines the pot of money, but the people [on ADAP] have continued to grow. Somehow the money has to catch up with not just the waiting lists but all the things driving the waiting lists. If the feds don’t step in with money, all these states struggling this year? Wait till next year.

ps: And yes, if the liberal base including those reading here get demoralized based on unrealistic grounds you're going to see a bunch of Palin mini-me's running the country after the November mid-terms.  Just look around at types like Sharon Angle and Rand Paul -- there are plenty more like them bubbling under the surface.  You won't be getting more Olympia Snowes or even Scott Browns.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: WillyWump on July 15, 2010, 01:29:35 pm


1) A social welfare state can be sustained if spending is cut elsewhere - MILITARY!  And revenues are raised - TAX THE RICH.

Since the drugs exists - it would seem that there is a human right to the medicine, since they are part of the standard of care in the person's country and contribute to an adequate standard of living.

While I agree the Military should be cut somewhat I think using this as a rallying cry to fund ADAP is the wrong course. Yes, in a fantasy world we would have a slim and trim defense budget that operates on a third of what it does now and we would be able to re-allocate funds to pay for ADAP (and other needed programs).  That's not going to happen, the defense budget is "the golden Goose" for many politicians and getting bipartisan support to cut it substantially is just not going to happen. It's a dead horse, and yall can keep on beating it.

But considering the current emergency situation regarding ADAP I am going to drag Pepfar into the fray. At the risk of sounding callous, which frankly dont give a shit about, I think we should repeal PepFar or at least a portion of it and use the up to $250mil annually to fund ADAP. This is something that would even appeal to those politicians who dont give a shit about those with HIV. ie..."If we are going to give money to those heathens who have HIV let's give it to OUR heathens here in America".

That's right REPEAL PEPFAR and reallocate those funds to Americans who are going without HAART!!

Afterall, think about your own personal budget. If you routinely give Charitable donations to Food Banks and suddenly the economy worsens and you cannot pay for your own food do you continue to give fully to that charity? NO! you do not! If you give charitable doantions to help fund ADAP for those who cannot afford HAART and the economy worsens and you cannot pay for your own HAART do you continue to give fully to that Charity? NO! you do not! Etc, Etc, Etc, Ad nauseum... It's the same situation with the US and the funding of Pepfar.

In an effort to stay on subject with the OP I will say this...I agree Obama is failing to lead on AIDS. If we can allocate $250mil to re-sod the Mall in DC but yet we have Americans who are going without HAARt due to waiting lists something is TERRIBLY wrong, and the person who needs to be taken to the wipping post is Obama for letting this happen. Come on Obama, Cant the fuckin grass wait????? Obama needs to grow a spine and not allow these ridiculous earmarks in! What happened to the "No earmarks, No pork" campaign cry Obama? I want my vote back Obama! you idiot!

-Will
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Joe K on July 15, 2010, 01:56:53 pm
While I agree the Military should be cut somewhat I think using this as a rallying cry to fund ADAP is the wrong course. Yes, in a fantasy world we would have a slim and trim defense budget that operates on a third of what it does now and we would be able to re-allocate funds to pay for ADAP (and other needed programs).  That's not going to happen, the defense budget is "the golden Goose" for many politicians and getting bipartisan support to cut it substantially is just not going to happen. It's a dead horse, and yall can keep on beating it.

But considering the current emergency situation regarding ADAP I am going to drag Pepfar into the fray. At the risk of sounding callous, which frankly dont give a shit about, I think we should repeal PepFar or at least a portion of it and use the up to $250mil annually to fund ADAP. This is something that would even appeal to those politicians who dont give a shit about those with HIV. ie..."If we are going to give money to those heathens who have HIV let's give it to OUR heathens here in America".

That's right REPEAL PEPFAR and reallocate those funds to Americans who are going without HAART!!

Afterall, think about your own personal budget. If you routinely give Charitable donations to Food Banks and suddenly the economy worsens and you cannot pay for your own food do you continue to give fully to that charity? NO! you do not! If you give charitable doantions to help fund ADAP for those who cannot afford HAART and the economy worsens and you cannot pay for your own HAART do you continue to give fully to that Charity? NO! you do not! Etc, Etc, Etc, Ad nauseum... It's the same situation with the US and the funding of Pepfar.

In an effort to stay on subject with the OP I will say this...I agree Obama is failing to lead on AIDS. If we can allocate $250mil to re-sod the Mall in DC but yet we have Americans who are going without HAARt due to waiting lists something is TERRIBLY wrong, and the person who needs to be taken to the wipping post is Obama for letting this happen. Come on Obama, Cant the fuckin grass wait????? Obama needs to grow a spine and not allow these ridiculous earmarks in! What happened to the "No earmarks, No pork" campaign cry Obama? I want my vote back Obama! you idiot!

-Will

Will, with all due respect, you need to get a grip and understand that the issue with HIV funding, has been like this for decades. You also need to stop insulting President Obama, just because he isn't doing what you believe he should be doing in regards to HIV funding. This is not his fault, nor any president, as it is Congress that appropriates funds and so direct your anger where it belongs, to the members of Congress. I share frustration with Obama not being forceful on HIV issues, but I can understand how a national health care plan would command his priorities. Don't forget that many of the provisions in the new health care plan will directly affect pozzies and the care they receive.

Being a leader is very hard word and often your choices are between bad and worse options. You are always free to voice your frustrations, however what you are not entitled to, is calling the president an idiot. That's beyond juvenile and insulting to the office he holds. If you think you could do his job better, then get elected, otherwise, show some respect for the highest office in the land.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 02:21:40 pm
It's amazing what one finds (http://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/2010/05/27/washington-insider-obama-member-of-chicago-gay-mans-club/) on the internet.  This whole story makes me sick to my stomach but answers a whole host of questions. Our government is way sick and twisted more than I could ever imagine,and it should NOT be this way. Our honor needs restored,our standards,our values,respect. All god loving Americans have a moral compass,and this bunch of evil beings do not. They need to be dealt with swiftly. Removed at once! I am going to send this to everyone I know and don’t know.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: WillyWump on July 15, 2010, 02:37:25 pm
Will, with all due respect, you need to get a grip and understand that the issue with HIV funding, has been like this for decades. You also need to stop insulting President Obama, just because he isn't doing what you believe he should be doing in regards to HIV funding. This is not his fault, nor any president, as it is Congress that appropriates funds and so direct your anger where it belongs, to the members of Congress. I share frustration with Obama not being forceful on HIV issues, but I can understand how a national health care plan would command his priorities. Don't forget that many of the provisions in the new health care plan will directly affect pozzies and the care they receive.

Being a leader is very hard word and often your choices are between bad and worse options. You are always free to voice your frustrations, however what you are not entitled to, is calling the president an idiot. That's beyond juvenile and insulting to the office he holds. If you think you could do his job better, then get elected, otherwise, show some respect for the highest office in the land.

Thank you for the lesson.

My "Disrespect to the Office" is a product of this Administrations apathy towards the ADAP crisis. I understand the workings of Congress and believe if  Obama would take on the cause and give it some much needed press time then Congress would find it hard to say yes to letting Americans go without HAART. Obama has no intentions to take on the ADAP crisis publicly, he is more comfortable with sweeping it under the rug and creating fat cat committees to research the situation for a few years.

And yes, Obamacare is just peachy (in 3-4 years) but how's that helping the people on lists now??

you need to get a grip and understand that the issue with HIV funding, has been like this for decades. - Oh, ok. Then I guess this makes it all ok. I guess I have no cause to be upset with the ADAP situation. My bad. Frankly under the same circumstances I couldnt care less whether it's Bush, Hillary or Mother Theresa in office, the President is the ultimate authority in the US and has a duty to stand up for the lives of Americans instead of  being complicit in signing death warrants for those unlucvky enough to be on ADAP waiting lists.

This is not North Korea and I am in fact entitled to call the President an Idiot whomever it may be. My contemp stands. Especially in the face of $2billlion in earmarks in the stimulus bill when the ADAP lists have not been cleared.

-Will
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Joe K on July 15, 2010, 03:50:05 pm
Will, it is obvious that you don't understand my comments and you are putting words in my mouth, at every turn. My point remains, that no matter how much you may disagree with President Obama, he is the duly elected president of the United States and as such, he deserves a modicum of respect. You also seem to think that I am not angry about the ADAP funding crisis, which is untrue, however, I realize that you don't get anyone to work with you, by calling them names. This is not about you voicing your views, it's about respect, for people, the process and how America really works. I share your anger, but instead of railing against the machine, I would rather spend my time trying to influences those who can truly affect change.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: RapidRod on July 15, 2010, 06:10:24 pm
Use the money given for abortions in the NEW HEALTHCARE BILL that Obama said would never happen  and wouldn't be in the bill to help fund ADAP.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 06:16:46 pm
Use the money given for abortions in the NEW HEALTHCARE BILL that Obama said would never happen 

Are those the abortions directed by the Death Panels™, or are these the ones made specially for illegal immigrants?
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: RapidRod on July 15, 2010, 06:22:38 pm
Are those the abortions directed by the Death Panels™, or are these the ones made specially for illegal immigrants?
ROFL, I love it when people speak and don't know what they are talking about and it shows that you don't know whats going on in your state.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: skeebo1969 on July 15, 2010, 07:28:30 pm

  

   I don't blame any of this on Obama.  I've said it before, I have not been impressed with any president after LBJ, and that is not a knock on our current leader.  We have people in Congress representing us (general public) that have  lifestyles much different than their constituents, how the hell can they relate to our needs?  Our systems is broken, and our presidents have become nothing more than scapegoats.

  I love America, but hate our government.  
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 07:41:00 pm
ROFL, I love it when people speak and don't know what they are talking about and it shows that you don't know whats going on in your state.

If you say so Roddles (http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/07/14/128516960/abortion-battle-in-health-law-heats-up-in-pennsylvania) (not that I pay any attention to abortion in the state of Pennsylvania).

Hey, now that you've attempted some fascinating thread drift, are you one of those fundie wackos at Planned Parenthood's clinic which is on the next block down from my HIV specialist in the Gayborhood?  Those folks are crazy.  I'm always scared a pipe bomb is going to explode when I'm around the corner grabbing a latte.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: WillyWump on July 15, 2010, 10:50:48 pm
he is the duly elected president of the United States and as such, he deserves a modicum of respect.


Defending the honor of the President is an admirable quality. I applaud you for that. I totally get that you are miffed that I am calling the President names. Let me say it so you dont have to...I am abrasive, unrefined and uncouth. That too I get and acknowledge.

But let's stick to the point of Obama failing to Lead on AIDS...How is allowing a bill with $2billion in earmarks pass his desk while turning a blind eye to the $150million needed to clear the waiting lists considered good solid leadership? How is allowing $250 million to resod the Mall in D.C while ignoring the ADAP waiting lists good solid leadership? How is enacting a new "Test and Treat" initiative good solid leadership when we cant even "treat" those who currently need treatment? The "Test and Treat" in itself is the epitome of idiocy!

The $2billion Earmark fiasco aside, It would be well within Obama's duties to go to HIS Congress and ask for Emergency Appropriations to clear ADAP waiting lists, he could easily get a majority of Democrats on board, for the Republicans he needed he could do a little behind closed doors "give and take" and get the few of them onboard and we would be on the road to resoliving the issue. Yet, Obama has indicated no inclination to do such a thing. This is a National Health Emergency and Obama needs to start acting like a President who cares about the Health and Welfare of Americans. The buck stops with him.

=Will
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Hellraiser on July 15, 2010, 10:59:44 pm
If enough politicians were as upset about America's screwed up priorities as we were then things would change.  Right now politicians don't seem to care.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 11:13:13 pm
If anyone here bothered to read this article/interview (http://www.poz.com/articles/exclusive_adap_crisis_401_18672.shtml) you might see several things are institutional issues and not solved by just writing a check.  As I stated earlier, there have been two amounts released recently -- $30 million in June, and $25 million two weeks ago.  We've ALL yet to see what effect that will result in as the waiting list issue isn't like a giant on/off switch.  There are individual states involved, because that's how ADAP works.  Obama isn't the Führer, not is any President, regardless of what the teabaggers write on their stupid signs.

Quote
In June, the Obama administration announced it was giving $30 million to HIV prevention for the current year. Can part of that money go to supplying ADAP meds on the theory that treatment is prevention?

Schmid: We don’t have all the details yet. We hear it’s not part of ADAP money, but we don’t know.

Arnold: In theory, yes, but it’s a different funding stream than ADAP.

Hypothetically, if 2,000 people are on waiting lists and without meds and, as NASTAD says, the average monthly drug costs per person is $1,003, then the immediate need for medication is like $2 million a month, or $24 million for one year. That’s not close to the $126 million figure HIV/AIDS advocates are asking for. What about prioritizing paying for needed meds to solve the immediate crisis and working on the larger problems in the background later, is that feasible?

Arnold: Probably no. The damage that’s been done by the shrinking federal contribution the past few years obviously undermines the pot of money, but the people [on ADAP] have continued to grow. Somehow the money has to catch up with not just the waiting lists but all the things driving the waiting lists. If the feds don’t step in with money, all these states struggling this year? Wait till next year.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: RapidRod on July 15, 2010, 11:28:11 pm
Well we know who's going to be crying come November and November can't get here fast enough.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 15, 2010, 11:35:08 pm
Well we know who's going to be crying come November and November can't get here fast enough.

still waiting (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=33523.msg414736#msg414736)
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: tednlou2 on July 16, 2010, 12:39:35 am
I know many of us expect President Obama to do everything we want right away.  I know this is true with DADT.  While it would take Congress to repeal the law, many felt he should have signed an executive order in the meantime stopping discharges due to the need.  I believe the Pentagon has temporarily stopped them, no?  I could be wrong.  I'm definitely no expert on how these things work.  Perhaps he should have used his powers at Commander-in-Chief to do that temporarily until the law is changed.  I know many feel he tries to be too bipartisan and do things through a process.  I've heard many say he needs a little of that Bush "I'm President and will do what I want when I want" attitude. 

I know when Bush ordered 28 new Marine One helicopters at what I believe was at a cost of $13 Billion, Obama said he was fine with the ones he had and the order was cancelled.  I'm not sure why 28 were ever needed.  They are only used to take the prez from the WH to Andrews--and you need a couple I guess to transport when he travels around the world.  I'm not sure whether Obama had the power to just cancel them on his own.  I believe he had to work with the Pentagon, and the Defense Secretary wanted them cancelled as well so that helped.  Secretary Gates has also asked Congress to take about $1 Billion back and he felt this new fighter jet was a waste of money.  It was members of Congress who wanted those unneeded and expensive jets, because parts were made in something like 38 states.

I still can't figure out the ADAP problem.  I know the waiting lists need to be cleared.  However, my ADAP counselor told me that no one in KY atleast is going without meds due to our waiting list.  He said the people on our waiting list are people who still don't need meds.  He said if someone needed meds, they aren't letting anyone go without.  He said they use drug programs to get free meds for those people.  Now, he could be full of shit.  I don't know.  Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying.  I'm sure the problem is very real and has huge consequences for many HIVers.  I'm just relaying what he told me about KY.  When I asked about hearing about people dying on waiting lists, he said those could have been people who would have died regardless.  I had asked him about this, because I was feeling guilty for being on ADAP even though I'm not on meds.  I thought I was taking someone's spot.  He said that isn't the case and I should stay on ADAP, because I could need it tomorrow.  He even suggested I have my doc prescribe a vitamin to have filled through ADAP so they don't try to kick me off.  I replied saying that would be taking money from the program.  He said my filling a vitamin isn't taking needed HIV meds from someone.  This is what has confused me so much.  If the situation is due to lack of money, why take money for a vitamin?   

Again, I'm relaying what he said and NOT saying this problem isn't real and full of consequences.  I know many of you have done tons of research on ADAP and I don't pretend to know as much as I should.  I'm just saying I don't know whether he knows what he's talking about or is full of it.       
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: WillyWump on July 16, 2010, 12:45:36 pm
Regarding the Article Phillly references...

How is it just not as easy as "writing a check"?. Yes, my cry for $150mil/annually, is a bit simplistic and will not solve the problem long term. But whatever amount it takes to clear all waiting lists , and maintain status quo on current ADAP services...whatever that figure is it would be worth it. If we can clear all waiting lists now and maintain them cleared until Ocare we would be saving a certain amount of money on the backend treating AIDS illnesses in the ER's of those people getting sick because they haver no access to meds.The States are in trouble and they are cutting everything they can to stay afloat including ADAP, The Feds need to make up that gap. I acknowledge there are institutional problems and Im fine with ADAP being scrapped once Obamacare goes into effect (provided everyone has access to MEDS under OCare). Obama missed an opportunity to provide stop gap measures to completely fund the ADAP deficit until 2014, or whenever Ocare goes into effect. He could have included immediate funding for this in his healthcare bill and then scrap ADAP once the bill goes into full effect.

All though I ahvent heard it stated this way, Obam Admin seems to be saying "We will take care of everyone needing HIV meds under Obamacare". What they fail to acknowledge is that these people will not be taken care of for another 3 or so years, and until then you're on your own.

Fine, if Obama wants to look the other way on his beloved earmarks while peoples Viral oads are skyrocketing, then he needs to grow some stones and scrap PepFar to the tune of $250 mill annually, desperate times require desperate measures.

-W
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 16, 2010, 01:16:48 pm

How is it just not as easy as "writing a check"?.

Because not every state that's made changes has made a waiting list, some have just changed the eligibility level.

And again, you're not addressing what I highlighted in that article, namely that the amount of money that some are requesting to address the waiting lists doesn't add up to the number of people on them and the coast per patient for 12 months.  Got it?  Make too much money available and you'll have all fifty states doing the same thing, in a never ending money to shift the state responsibility for their portion of the program to the federal coffers 100%.

I'm amazed at how some of you can't seem to look at the larger picture here and keep recycling the same gibberish.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: WillyWump on July 16, 2010, 01:27:40 pm

I'm amazed at how some of you can't seem to look at the larger picture here and keep recycling the same gibberish.

Ok, perhaps I am blind to the "larger picture", and I appreciate your view on the situation.

What are some of your thoughts on how to solve the ADAP waiting list problem? I've laid out mine.

-W
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on July 16, 2010, 02:24:01 pm
I've laid out mine.

-W

It was so muddled I'm not sure what you tried to say or even how to reply.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: edfu on July 16, 2010, 03:22:07 pm
Now that Miss P has shared his wisdom with us by telling us how he would solve the ADAP crisis, let's look at another section of his favorite article, which particularly addresses the topic of this thread, lack of leadership from the Administration:
*******************************************************************************************

Let’s talk about the federal government’s response. Last time there was an ADAP crisis in 2006, President Bush found emergency funds. This time, there’s been a lot of discussion and steps taken to try to remedy the situation, but so far, no additional funding has been given. A few months ago, about 80 members of the U.S. House of Representatives signed a petition asking Obama for $126 million for ADAPs, but it got no response. Then two GOP senators introduced a bill seeking to take the $126 million from stimulus funds, but no Democrats signed on. Is the lack of additional ADAP funding a result of partisan politics?

Schmid: I don’t think it’s caught up in partisan politics. It’s caught up in lack of attention and priority for the domestic AIDS epidemic. There are so many competing interests for limited amounts of money. But money is being spent, and this hasn’t been prioritized. We do hear there will be an announcement [regarding funds] coming from the administration.

Arnold: The Senate bill is not politicized in the normal Democrat versus Republican sense. It’s wrapped up in, “Should we spend stimulus money versus other money.” A bipartisan letter is being drafted in the Senate just asking the president to find the $126 million however and wherever but quickly. Talk is going on as we speak to drop a companion bill in the House to match the Senate bill. There is huge frustration among the AIDS advocacy community that the administration hasn’t recognized it as being the problem that it is and that it’s the tip of the iceberg of a bigger problem. We spent 25 years building through the Ryan White CARE Act a remarkable system, and we’re about to let it collapse.

*******************************************************************************************
"lack of attention and priority for the domestic AIDS epidemic"

"however and wherever but quickly" 

"the administration hasn't recognized it as being the problem that it is"

Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Joe K on July 16, 2010, 07:03:02 pm
There are many things that each of us can do to help with the ADAP issue. Start locally and work your way up. Find out who administers ADAP for your state or region and who controls how it is spent. There are generally HIV planning councils and they have meetings where the needs of the HIV community are discussed. These are the people who generally know what is "really going on" in your state. If your state is not pulling it's weight in providing funds, find out who has that responsibility and contact that office. Keep moving up the money chain, after local, start advocating at the state level.

The reason that so many ADAPs are having problems, is because state legislatures are cheating on their share. Make sure your state is not one of those. Then head for the federal level and provide support for those who are advocating for proper funding. Deluge opponents with true horror stories about what happens when you can't get access to live saving medications. Be out about your status and tell everyone you can about what is happening with funding and ask for their help. Join organizations, volunteer, whatever, but what we cannot do is to sit back and expect someone else to do this.

I'm sick about the lack of support from Obama, but that is our reality and we have to acknowledge it, plan accordingly and move one. This is why I say that HIV funding has been disjointed for decades and we must remain ever vigilant to secure the funding that we need. I have been successful in talking with a number of legislators, at all levels of government, by getting involved and getting to know the people who make the system work.

I applaud the outrage that is evident in this thread, but words on an Internet board are hardly action. Get involved and channel your outrage into meaningful actions. Remember, change comes one person at a time and one person can change the world.

Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: GSOgymrat on July 16, 2010, 09:43:58 pm
I appreciate your good, practical advice. I'm going to contact my local ASO and start climbing the chain.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 16, 2010, 10:54:21 pm
There are many things that each of us can do to help with the ADAP issue. Start locally and work your way up. Find out who administers ADAP for your state or region and who controls how it is spent. There are generally HIV planning councils and they have meetings where the needs of the HIV community are discussed. These are the people who generally know what is "really going on" in your state. If your state is not pulling it's weight in providing funds, find out who has that responsibility and contact that office. Keep moving up the money chain, after local, start advocating at the state level.

The reason that so many ADAPs are having problems, is because state legislatures are cheating on their share. Make sure your state is not one of those. Then head for the federal level and provide support for those who are advocating for proper funding. Deluge opponents with true horror stories about what happens when you can't get access to live saving medications. Be out about your status and tell everyone you can about what is happening with funding and ask for their help. Join organizations, volunteer, whatever, but what we cannot do is to sit back and expect someone else to do this.

I'm sick about the lack of support from Obama, but that is our reality and we have to acknowledge it, plan accordingly and move one. This is why I say that HIV funding has been disjointed for decades and we must remain ever vigilant to secure the funding that we need. I have been successful in talking with a number of legislators, at all levels of government, by getting involved and getting to know the people who make the system work.

I applaud the outrage that is evident in this thread, but words on an Internet board are hardly action. Get involved and channel your outrage into meaningful actions. Remember, change comes one person at a time and one person can change the world.


I agree completely Killfoile - There have many good points brought up in this thread.  To add an additional observation, I have been surprised and disheartened here in South Florida about the lack of action being taken by the local ASOs to bring their concerns about the ADAP issue to the attention of local/state legislatures and to the general public.   However, after more than 20 years of working the in social services, I am sad to say that at the same time it isn't surprising.  Most nonprofit ASOs (and not for profits overall) only focus on those issues that are going to bring funding directly into their organization.  Otherwise, they show great apathy.

ADAP does not bring funding directly into an ASO as the funding goes directly to the purchase of meds.  Now, if states or the feds start decreasing funding for Ryan White services or don't adequately fund then you would hear an outcry from the ASOs as this would directly impact their funding (case manager\rs, etc), same for HOPWA (housing specialists, etc), same for federal HIV prevention funding (Peer Specialists, Prevention Specialist, Outreach Specialist, HIV Testing Specialists) -- because with all of these sources of funding, in addition to the direct program funding, the ASO gets administrative funds (i.e. pays for CEO's salary, etc) - with the average ASO CEO making around $125,000 annual.  ADAP doesn't bring funds to the ASO or support their administrative structure (i.e. Executive salaries) thus, the overall lack of concern.

I have decided that as part of my individual action plan on this crisis, I need to boldly ask these ASOs here in South Florida (which are some of the largest in the country - South Florida has one of the highest rates of infections and of persons living with HIV/AIDS) why they are not being more vocal about the ADAP issue, why they are not encouraging their clients as well as why they themselves are advocating and pushing locally, statewide, and federally for adequate funding.  I have a feeling, that knowing what I know about how most nonprofits only advocate for those issues that serve their own self interest, they will not like me "pulling their covers."  But, it is time to make sure that my local ASOs are truly fulfilling their mission and are serving those they are supposed to serve, whether it benefits their bottom line or not.

I also agree with Ms. P. in that we need to make sure states are fulfilling their obligation in regards to ADAP funding.  Just as the feds have many pork projects, states do too.  We need to question these if they are being given priority over appropriately funding needed ADAP services.  Locally, we need to look at how funding is being spent.  Once again, there are lots of local projects funded that could have been delayed in order to ensure that people have access to life saving meds.  Time and time again it has been shown that local control of funding / funding closes to the people it serves is more effective funding.  The more layers between the funding sources and the actual recipient, the more of that funding that gets eaten away as it makes its way down the chain.  So, yell from the bottom up; hold funding sources accountable from the bottom up - bet definitely need to hit every level required until ADAP is appropriately funded.  Lives depend on it - and while it may not be my life today - it may be the life of someone I love - and may very well be my life that is on the line tomorrow.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Hellraiser on July 17, 2010, 02:53:59 am
I'm going to do my part by not using ADAP anymore.  Hopefully one of the jobs I interviewed for today will hire me and give me health benefits.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: ElZorro on August 25, 2010, 11:18:13 pm
from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198688.php (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198688.php)

On Friday, President Obama updated  his pending fiscal year 2011 HHS budget request to include $400 million more for HIV/AIDS programs, high-risk insurance pools and health worker training, CQ HealthBeat reports. He made the request to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Obama seeks an additional $30 million for state programs that provide drugs for people living with HIV and $35 million more for HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives and research programs. The administration has been facing criticism from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and other advocacy groups that claim it has not devoted enough money to HIV/AIDS programs.

[more...]
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: WillyWump on August 26, 2010, 10:35:54 am
from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198688.php (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198688.php)

On Friday, President Obama updated  his pending fiscal year 2011 HHS budget request to include $400 million more for HIV/AIDS programs, high-risk insurance pools and health worker training, CQ HealthBeat reports. He made the request to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Obama seeks an additional $30 million for state programs that provide drugs for people living with HIV and $35 million more for HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives and research programs. The administration has been facing criticism from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and other advocacy groups that claim it has not devoted enough money to HIV/AIDS programs.

[more...]

So $30Mil more for ADAP help to the states, Ill take it. According to my very rough figures iif you take into account Sebellius' $25 mil and this $30mil, seems like there is still a $50-$75Milmil gap to close. With "Test and Treat" on the horizon with the real potential to add many more to the ADAP rolls, seems like Obama is merely pissing on the bonfire while his programs are stoking it on the other side.

However I applaud every penny.

-W
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: Miss Philicia on August 26, 2010, 10:42:23 am
So $30Mil more for ADAP help to the states, Ill take it. According to my very rough figures iif you take into account Sebellius' $25 mil and this $30mil, seems like there is still a $50-$75Milmil gap to close. With "Test and Treat" on the horizon with the real potential to add many more to the ADAP rolls, seems like Obama is merely pissing on the bonfire while his programs are stoking it on the other side.

However I applaud every penny.

-W

No, previous to this there were two disbursements of money, the 25 and either another 30 or 35, though it was unclear if that first bit went to ADAP or something else.  I provided the poz.com link explaining this earlier in the thread, though of course everyone ignored it.

Also, the current link just above isn't for the rest of 2010, it's for fiscal (not calendar) 2011 if I'm reading things correctly.
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: WillyWump on August 26, 2010, 11:14:44 am
No, previous to this there were two disbursements of money, the 25 and either another 30 or 35, though it was unclear if that first bit went to ADAP or something else.  I provided the poz.com link explaining this earlier in the thread, though of course everyone ignored it.


ahhh, MissyP always keeping me on my toes... Since I'm a governmental pessimist and since the original pledge wasnt earmarked specifically for the ADAP crisis, I doubt any substantial amount of it will go the states to address the ADAP situation (however I could be wrong). Sebelius' pledge however was specifically mandated to go to the AADP crisis, as is the $30 mil in this new pledge.

W
Title: Re: Obama Fails to Lead on AIDS
Post by: ElZorro on August 26, 2010, 08:24:23 pm
Also, the current link just above isn't for the rest of 2010, it's for fiscal (not calendar) 2011 if I'm reading things correctly.

Federal fiscal year is Oct 1 - Sep 30. So, FY2011 actually starts 3 months before calendar 2011