March 12, 2009

Activists Mark Obama’s 50th Day in Office With Report Card

AIDS activists nationwide marked President Barack Obama’s 50th day in office on Wednesday, March 11, by issuing an AIDS report card for the president as well as their city and state governments.

In New York City, activists from Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Harlem United and Housing Works—the three largest AIDS service organizations in the city—convened in Harlem for a rally to draw attention to troubling grades earned at the city and state levels. Similar rallies issuing report cards were held in seven other cities across the country by the Campaign to End AIDS (C2EA).

“We’re issuing New York grades because, ultimately, it is up to cities and states to implement the national AIDS strategy we are hoping to see from Obama. Our performance has been abysmal: New York is slashing AIDS services and HIV prevention funds,” said Eric Bartley, a member of the New York City chapter of C2EA.

New York City earned Fs for failing to expand access to housing for HIV-positive homeless people and for plans to decrease funding for legal and case management services. The city earned Ds for its inadequate housing for positive people and for proposed cuts to HIV prevention and education programs.

On the state level, New York earned an A+ for Governor David Paterson’s efforts to reform Medicaid. However, it received Fs for uncapped rent for positive New Yorkers in supportive housing and for a plan to eliminate job training and substance abuse services for low-income HIV-positive people.

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William Gaines, Oakland/San Francisco, 2009-03-17 11:15:13
Have you guys graded Oakland CA, as there are not enough homes out there for black HIV people, one of the largest black community. Bill Oakland