April 14, 2008

Senators Clinton and Obama Discuss HIV/AIDS

In a forum called the “Compassion Forum,” intended to explore the issues of faith and compassion and how a “president’s faith can affect us all” and hosted by Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both called for increased attention to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, the Hartford Courant reports (courant.com, 4/14). CNN broadcast the forum on April 13 and published a transcript of the event online at cnn.com.

When asked about federal policies for providing lifesaving antiretroviral medications to people living with HIV in developing countries, Senator Clinton replied, “I believe that our government must do so much more to get generic drugs and low-cost drugs to people suffering.” She later added, “I commend President Bush for his PEPFAR [President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief] initiative. It was a very bold and important commitment, but it didn’t go far enough in opening up the door to generics and getting the costs down. And as president, I will do that.”

Senator Obama also commended PEPFAR, and claimed that abstinence education should play a role in HIV prevention. However, he also argued for more comprehensive programs in recipient countries.

“My view is…that we should use whatever the best approaches are, the scientifically sound approaches are, to reduce this devastating disease around the world,” Obama said. “And part of that, I think, should be a strong education component, and I think abstinence education is important… I also think that treatment is important… I also think that we have to do more to make antiviral drugs available to people who are in extreme poverty.”

To read the full transcript of the forum, click here.

Search: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, PEPFAR

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Previous Comments:

tanaygro;cameroon, bamenda, 2008-05-06 09:28:10
thanks for the valid information you have been providing on your magazines. TANAYGRO is a group destined to fight against the AIDS pandemic and hope to get more information from web and magazine. congratulations!!!!!

john campbell, new bern, 2008-04-16 01:07:39
POZ for 22 years and still kickin. The debate is coming. I was reared in the great and beuatiful state of NC. Our vote in over 30 years will have some meaning. I want to ask the "Senators", can i work and pay taxes if you will give me the meds to stay alive and listen to all this bull? We need healthcare!! Not only for POZ members, but Seniors, children, etc. I will get tickets to this debate in Raleigh NC on the 27th. I need a forum to ask the questions. Can POZ request a panel seat and its me?

Dave Martin, Austin, TX, 2008-04-15 16:39:53
Just what we need, another president spewing abstinence programs. They have been know to be ineffectual since at least as far back as 1987. Get a clue. You can't reign in hormones. Safe sex education must come first. Telling a post-pubescent teen "don't do it" won't help protect them WHEN they do "do it." We need a president who has a real clue about HIV/AIDS. Not another posturing fool who will ignore the facts about abstinence programs.

Martha Torres, Georgia, 2008-04-15 15:09:22
I agree with all of the postings commenting on how here in the US we are struggling with the ASO's, ADAP's and the like and how difficult and expensive it is to get our meds and the services we need. The real question is how do we get the candidates to hear us? I myself have tried to contact them and to no avail.

Mike, , 2008-04-15 12:48:33
My attempts to contact Sen. Clinton and Mr. Obama have failed, 'too many contacts to answer'. While I understand global issues, I wish we would fix our internal problems first. Too many ASO's, ADAP's, Medicaid and Medicare have had reduced funding, limiting care for U.S. HIV+ citizens. While rx's may be available, access to doctors for the rx's is almost financially impossible. I wish our political leaders would listen to our needs. I someone, anyone, could reach these candidates.

joe, louisiana, 2008-04-15 11:50:57
I want to know what the ores candidates are going to do for positive people who are in the US and aren't in poverty but still can't afford the $50,000.00 of drugs per year. I had to move and changed jobs so went off my cobra insurance onto my new policy that has over a $5,000 deductible. I only make $48,000.00 per year. The state won't help me because I make more than $18k cut off.

SB, NEW YORK, 2008-04-15 11:29:16
It seems our candidates aren’t focusing on working people living with HIV. We are the ones that are paying the brunt of the taxes and we are not getting the help we need to pay for our meds. A big problem is health insurance companies are immune from any liability and are not required to cover HIV meds. This needs to stop. Otherwise, it is business as usual. Insurance companies have to be held libel for their actions. Once we can help ourselves, then we can help others. Charity begins at home.

RZ, Washington, DC, 2008-04-15 11:23:53
Republicans always want to shift discussion on AIDS to Africa and other countries where homosexuality is hidden so that they don't have to address the homophobia that fuels the epidemic. Pray that the Democrats don't do this. Until American takes on homophobia, AIDS prevention is just tossing sand on an inferno.

Phil, Midland City, 2008-04-15 11:17:35
What about help and assistance for people with AIDS here in our own country?

TallNPoz1, Philadelphia, 2008-04-15 08:41:24
Addressing the global impact of HIV/AIDS is very important, and I think it must come second to HIV treatment, medications, and education here at home. Very recently 9 States had waiting lists for their ADAPs, and some people even died on those waiting lists. No American should go without proper care while we're spending millions to help others. "Charity begins at home!"