October 1, 2009

Help Develop a National AIDS Strategy

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The Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) in the White House is drafting a national AIDS strategy, which will be released in 2010.

The three major goals of the strategy are: reducing HIV incidence; increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes; and reducing HIV-related health disparities.

ONAP is hosting HIV/AIDS Community Discussions (a.k.a. town halls) nationwide to seek input from people living with and affected by the virus in the creation of the strategy.

Here's the schedule:

Atlanta, GA — Tuesday, August 25
Washington, DC — Wednesday, September 21
Minneapolis, MN — Friday, Oct. 2
Albuquerque, NM — Friday, Oct. 9
Houston, TX — Saturday, Oct. 10
San Francisco, CA — Friday, Oct. 16
Los Angeles, CA — Sunday, Oct. 18
Columbia, SC — Monday, Oct. 26
Oakland, CA — Sunday, Nov. 1
Virgin Islands — Monday, Nov. 9
Jackson, MS — Monday, Nov. 16
Ft. Lauderdale, FL — Friday, Nov. 20
New York City, NY — Friday, Dec. 4
Puerto Rico — Monday, Dec. 14

ONAP solicited comments from the public online until Monday, November 23, and via email until Monday, December 7.

However, we still encourage you to leave your comments below. We will deliver them to Jeff Crowley, ONAP's director.

Thank you in advance for letting us know your thoughts!

Search: national AIDS strategy, ONAP, White House

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Previous Comments:

Kevin, Ft Lauderdale, 2010-03-10 18:49:04
Almost gave up on Meds with the donut hole. Made the first month payment of $1433 then the second month was $2500 and I couldn't do it. Considered too wealthy but barely making it. Save all year to cover first of year costs and then wiped out. Does anyone have any suggestions or is it going to get worse.

Granma---, Jamaica, NY, 2010-02-19 21:27:06
I don't ever see anything about the way hospitals treat patients who are dying of AIDS. My daughter died a horrible, painful death at the hands of non-caring, incompetent, employees working at NYC hospiotals. I was wondering if there are any other Mothers out there who have been through what I have. I have complained to NYS and Drs. agencys, but what upsets me is that the hospitals are actually lying to cover everything up. Could I hear from ayone else in my situation?

Mike, Atlanta, GA, 2010-01-28 18:39:42
What is our government doing for us? I e-mailed Obama, and they never respond. Regarding health insurance. My health insurance went up 250% this year... and "we don't need healthcare reform"??? If it goes up like that again, there will be someone else who doesn't have health care. It already takes a huge portion of my budget. I am on disability, and they still say "I make too much... to qualify for help" What are we supposed to do? Do without food? PLEASE MAKE SOME CHANGES!!!

c smith, New york, 2010-01-23 20:49:02
I have spoken to hundreds of people who have applied for the affordable mortgage modification. None including myself have received it. The President must ask Banks to give the number of loans they have modified

Vickie, Tampa, 2009-12-29 21:53:55
I was infected in 1985. Had a job, lost a job, lost health insurance, became homeless, diagnosed with AIDS and less than 50 T-cells, told I had 6 months to live. Fast forward I am now completing my second Masters Degree afraid to get a "real" job and lose the government health care I have. Meds currently cost over $40,000 a year, resistent to most meds . . . where do I go from here?!? Get a job, risk losing my health care coverage?! My options are limited, my choices are few, what do I do?!

Lisa, Richmond, 2009-12-10 12:14:21
I was diagnosed in 1998. I am not understanding why our government since to want to push the seriousness of this epidemic on the back burner. Insurance companies need to realize we didn't ask for this, so why do they feel it necessary to deem us as uninsurable due to a pre-existing condition. That simply tells me that if I were to get pregnant, I would be denied medical insurance. Just wondering?????

gil telles, el paso tx, 2009-12-04 09:52:46
Take charge of your health and be responsible for what you consume. Mr. DeGuise (a previous post)cant be more correct on how important fresh foods (fruits and veeggies)are in controling disease and boosting your immune system. Smoking, drinking and drugging while being immunue compromised is playing with fire.....seriously, you don't know why your liver and kidneys hurt and your sick all the time,...really You don't know why??!!

jennifer chapman, spartanburg, 2009-12-03 22:56:58
also we need the chance to survive like everyone else, and if we could work on finding an cure it would help with the cost of all the mediciences but until then we need health care to take care of us or million of us will end up dying and leaving our childern and families behind whom need us much as we need them plus i beleive we need to work on breaking the stigma by educating people on hiv/aids that way we dont have to walk around feeling ashamed and scared that poeple want accept us

jennifer chapman, spartanburg, 2009-12-03 22:47:22
Hi my name is Jennifer Chapman is 29 that is an single parent of two boys that found out i was hiv postive the hard way.I was in an 3 year relationship with an guy whom i thought was the one and well i found out he was cheating on me and broke up with him then found out an few months later when the guy from bmw transmitted hiv to an girl in florida that was pregnet and unforuntly i found out he gave me hiv. i have been living with it for two years now and if we lose our health care we will die

t mass, New York, 2009-11-29 21:12:23
It is incredible that 2 years have passed since 2 people were cured of hiv via a bone marrow transplant procedure in Germany and nothing is being done by the US government who is being paid off by insurance and pharma companies to have them subsist on medications that are outrageous and unhealthy rather than invest in a cure that is possible through the reported bone marrow transplant procedure. Many states cannot provide funds to people under $250,000 salary to pay the horrible monthly med cost

G Zito, New York, 2009-11-29 21:08:08
It would be nice if the US government would stop being so selfish, uncaring and greedy on helping those with hiv. In countries like Brazil everyone can get FREE hiv medication as well as caring countries in europe. The USA seems unaware of citizens dying each year because their states cannot provide healthcare and people cannot afford $3000 per month and insurance companies are playing games in denying coverage to make money - how sinister especially to those in the middle class arena.

Michael, Grand Rapids, 2009-11-22 10:04:24
Basic HIV education and money for treatment and research Keep it simple Im 18year survivor that has been lucky to be able to work at jobs with health insurance pure luck. I pray for National Health Insurance so everyone can become lucky too

Anthony, Lexington, 2009-11-14 19:02:44
I fortunately have a great job and insurance. It isn't the best but its insurance. I make too much to qualify for the ADAP program. My meds alone run me close to 200 a month. What can we do to bring down the cost of Meds?

SouthernBoy, savannah, 2009-11-13 10:17:29
The access to getting needed medications is limited, not to mention the incredibly high cost involved. There is a breakdown in the system somewhere.

Horizon, Fort Lauderdale, 2009-11-13 00:25:13
Before I was poz, I suffered a lot of infections every year (seasonal). After I became poz, I started to take a better care of myself changing my lifestyle and habits and I am healthier now. Incredibly my immune system improved. HIV has been a wonderful teacher for me. The positive face of the virus, is a miracle.