AIDS advocates ask White House to send money south

Nov 17 2009

WLBT: "The White House Office of National AIDS Policy chose Jackson [Mississipppi] to host an HIV/AIDS town hall meeting Monday night. The community discussion allowed Mississippians to give feedback that will be included in a national strategy to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. ... Many asked for sex and STD education in the schools, more doctors and transportation funding in rural areas and health insurance" (Anderson, 11/17).

The Associated Press: "Activists and the health care providers cite a need for more federal and state funding for outreach and drug assistance programs, as well as transportation for patients who have to travel from small towns to get care." The meeting was with Jeffrey Crowley, director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy. According to advocacy group the Southern AIDS Coalition, the "South leads the nation in the percentage of AIDS-related deaths. Yet, the region ranks last when it comes to overall federal dollars spent on an HIV-infected person at $6,565 a year, according to the coalition." Activists say the recent $2.2 billion Ryan White HIV/AIDS extension last month won't provide enough money for the south to keep pace with new cases (Byrd, 11/16).