$69 Million Announced by Obama Administration Today to "Eliminate Any
Waiting Lists" Was Appropriated at End of 2011; 2,000 People Living with
HIV/AIDS Have Been Languishing on AIDS Drug Assistance Program Waiting
Lists While This Distribution Has Been Delayed
While Hopeful This Funding Will Truly Eliminate ADAP Waiting Lists,
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Hopes It Is Not "Just More Spin"
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AIDS
Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today responded to news from the
Obama Administration that the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) will be distributing $69 million to 25 states in the
hopes of eliminating waiting lists for lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications
through state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs.
"Though well-timed PR-wise for the upcoming start of the International
AIDS Conference, the funding that was announced today is not new money.
It was actually appropriated at the end 2011 and is only now being
distributed. Meanwhile, thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS have
been languishing on ADAP waiting lists while this funding distribution
was delayed," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS
Healthcare Foundation.
Added Weinstein: "It is our sincere hope that these funds do indeed end
the U.S. waiting lists for lifesaving AIDS medications. However, with
more than 600,000 people who are HIV-positive in the U.S. not currently
in treatment, additional new monies and lower drug prices will be needed
to prevent waiting lists from returning. Ultimately, a flurry of press
releases in response to criticism is not a suitable substitute for good
public health policy and more action from the administration will be
needed to ensure that all Americans in need of HIV/AIDS medications have
access to them."
During President Obama's time in office waiting lists have ballooned
from 43 people when he took office in January 2009 to as many as 10,000
people. Currently there are 2,000 people in 9 states on ADAP waiting
lists.
About AIDS Healthcare Foundation
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS
organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to more
than 176,756 individuals in 27 countries worldwide in the US, Africa,
Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To
learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org,
find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth
and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare.
