White House to Spy on to collide of stimulus package
It's to calculated that every 9.5 minutes someone in this country contracts a new case of HIV. That's such a shocking figure that this should also come as a shock: while for years there's been an international strategy to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and slash infection rates around the world, there's never been a comprehensive strategy in the United States – until now.
“We have learned what we can do to stop the spread of the disease,” announced President Barack Obama on Tuesday. “We've learned what we can do to extend the lives of people living with it. So the question is not whether we know what to do, but whether we will do it?”
The plan aims to cut the number of new HIV infections by 25 percent over the next five years and increase access to care for those living with HIV and AIDS. The strategy also takes a stab at dealing with the fact that some groups have a much higher infection rate than others.
The federal government currently spends about $19 billion each year on AIDS programs across the country. That money is being redirected to target highest-risk populations, which include gay and bisexual men and black Americans.
Because New York City remains at the center of the nation's AIDS crisis, the city could stand to gain a good chunk of prevention funding and other services.
“We think that will aid significantly in our efforts and we know that anything that decreases the barriers for getting tested for HIV will go a long way to helping people, all people, in New York City learn their status,” says Dr. Blayne Cultler, director of the NYC Health Department’s HIV Prevention Program.
Most organizations, advocates, doctors, and people living with HIV and AIDS, say Obama's plan is a good first step, but they'll be watching closely to see if resources go far enough to back up the administration's policy. “You can have a great plan, a great strategy, but if you can't actually implement it, or if you can't finance it, people are going to be disappointed and the expectations that you've raised are going to be dashed,” said Shimmy Mehta, founder and chief executive of Angelwish.org, an organization devoted to helping children living with HIV and AIDS.
Some federal resources are already being reallocated. The Obama administration is also relying on changes that come with health reform to help meet goals.
“We have learned what we can do to stop the spread of the disease,” announced President Barack Obama on Tuesday. “We've learned what we can do to extend the lives of people living with it. So the question is not whether we know what to do, but whether we will do it?”
The plan aims to cut the number of new HIV infections by 25 percent over the next five years and increase access to care for those living with HIV and AIDS. The strategy also takes a stab at dealing with the fact that some groups have a much higher infection rate than others.
The federal government currently spends about $19 billion each year on AIDS programs across the country. That money is being redirected to target highest-risk populations, which include gay and bisexual men and black Americans.
Because New York City remains at the center of the nation's AIDS crisis, the city could stand to gain a good chunk of prevention funding and other services.
“We think that will aid significantly in our efforts and we know that anything that decreases the barriers for getting tested for HIV will go a long way to helping people, all people, in New York City learn their status,” says Dr. Blayne Cultler, director of the NYC Health Department’s HIV Prevention Program.
Most organizations, advocates, doctors, and people living with HIV and AIDS, say Obama's plan is a good first step, but they'll be watching closely to see if resources go far enough to back up the administration's policy. “You can have a great plan, a great strategy, but if you can't actually implement it, or if you can't finance it, people are going to be disappointed and the expectations that you've raised are going to be dashed,” said Shimmy Mehta, founder and chief executive of Angelwish.org, an organization devoted to helping children living with HIV and AIDS.
Some federal resources are already being reallocated. The Obama administration is also relying on changes that come with health reform to help meet goals.
