Three years ago, I ranted and raved about giving the newly minted Obama administration needless years to put together a National HIV/AIDS Strategy. In 2008, after nearly three decades of AIDS, we already knew that treatment, prevention, education, housing and other critical supportive services would end the epidemic, right? What was there left to figure out? I was unanimously shouted down in person and online by fellow AIDS advocates. (That's okay, I'm used to it.)
We didn't get the NHAS until July 2010, at which point, I ranted and raved about its inadequacy. The NHAS set shamefully low targets and did zero to end the ADAP crisis. Much as it pained me, I played the role of skunk at the party and interrupted the president during the historic unveiling of the strategy. I was tarred and feathered for that one. (I'm fine, really.)
Now, here we are a year into the plan. Its accomplishments are all intangibles. Yes, we have access to the White House and Health and Human Services. Yes, some departments, like the Department of Justice and Housing and Urban Development, have taken stock of their role in the strategy. Yes, some progressive states are heeding the call for state AIDS blueprints. These glimmers of hope are laughable when compared to the goal of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: a nation where "HIV infections are rare."
Since the president unveiled his visionary strategy, 6,330 people have been added to the ADAP waiting list. That list is almost four times longer than it was last July. Medicaid, on which tens of thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS depend for their medical care, is on the chopping block--and President Obama has his own knife poised and ready. Don't worry about your "enemies," the Republicans. Obama's proposed cuts are sufficient to sabotage the NHAS.
As for the NHAS itself, we still wait for recommendations for improvements to governmental systems and streamlining lines of federal funding (both of which are called for by the NHAS). In terms of housing, HUD is still working on a definition of homelessness, and we don't have a draft of potential changes to the HOPWA formula. Women and children remain invisible in the NHAS. The 12 Cities project has taken an inordinate amount of space. The Obama administration chose to build upon the CDC project, and when it became apparent that it wouldn't translate to the entire country, only negligible adjustments were made.
How do we expect to implement the NHAS, which is dependent on health care reform? Can we really operate as though HCR is the law of the land and the federal budget crisis will have no impact on its implementation?
You may be curling up your nose at the unpleasant words you've just
read. My apologies for that skunk smell again. But I only stink up the
joint because I believe that advocacy and activism still work. Lately we have been reminded of this truth not by the AIDS
community, but by the Tea Party. Its relentless drumbeat has paralyzed
the Obama administration and Congress' ability to govern. The result
could be catastrophic should they win and "solve" the budget crisis on
the backs of poor and disabled, including those living with HIV/AIDS. Going forward, let's cancel the free pass for Obama. The NHAS is not enough, and it will never be enough without a vocal, relentless drumbeat of our own.
(This entry originally appeared on the Housing Works AIDS Issues Update Blog.)
Yes, the President has gotten a pass all around. George W. Bush did better, and I never voted for him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with all that you have said. I see no real support coming from the President, since he is so weakened now. He never seems to take a stand and stick to it. He promises much, but cannot deliver. So we will continue to suffer, whether it's more cuts to state programs, insufficient funding to federal programs or both. It is a very sad state of affairs and the future only looks worse.
Well said, Charles. It's a shame that some of our advocates continue to parrot the administrations rosy talking points, as apparent gratitude for their White House access. Back in the day, we might dine with Fauci one night, and get arrested on his doorstep the next day. Access did not equal kiss-ass.
You're one of the few activists left with some back-bone. Keep it up!
Thank you, Peter, for your wise, appropriate, and correct words, and thank you, Charles, for never letting up and always speaking the truth. Unfortunately, most of the members of AIDSmeds.com [Forums], which Peter founded, are total ass-kissers and refuse to see how totally inept, corrupt, and meaningless most of the Obama administration has become. I keep pointing out on [the] AIDSmeds.com [Forums] Obama's posturing and nice words but no action, and I'm inevitably accused of being a "Debbie Downer" and roundly castigated there.
It is deeply depressing and disturbing to me to see how the activism of the ACT UP days, which you know well and helped promote so effectively, has deteriorated so completely and thoroughly. To see how so many of us who are deeply affected by the HIV crisis have become such cowards and Quislings, desperate to bow down to pick up the least crumbs from the Administration, leaves me with not much hope for the future.
Obama's NHAS is nothing but a joke and facade for basically doing nothing. It is meaningless without the funding necessary for its goals to achieve reality. He talks and talks and does nothing.
Thank you, Charles. I am blown away by the 'role over' attitude of the gay population, acting as if a place at the table is good enough, and any crumbs you toss our way, we are grateful to get.
I was actually told,"who else are you going to vote for" like that was reason enough to support a President who talks a good game but is lame in delivering the goods. Seriously people, we have been sold down river on everything from,'Don't Ask' to same sex marriage. What makes anyone believe funding for real change in policy for HIV/ aids will be any different. Under George douche bag Bush we got prescription drug coverage. Where's,"yes we can" Obama now?
It is absolutely unconscionable that ADAP should have a waiting list in any state. This is only something that should happen in poor third world countries, not the USA.
If the new Health Care Law eventually does take effect in 2014 I hope anyone who needs HIV drugs will be able to get them. In the mean time ADAP should always be fully funded.
This is shameful and Obama has absolutely no excuse for not fighting for these funds.
I assume it's no mistake that the word 'cure' isn't mentioned anywhere in your article, or in your concept of how we'd end this epidemic. Makes it easier to realize who's in the fight for the right and smart reasons to truly end HIV.