We’ve made great progress on HIV/AIDS. Budget cuts threaten to set us back.
Ryan White Basketball was a bright child with a spirit that loved Nintendo and Big Dreaming. 13 -year -old Ryan in 1984 contracted HIV Through a contaminated blood transfusion used to treat hemophilia.
With widespread misconceptions about the fear that dominated HIV/AIDS headlines and invalidates the facts, he was banned from going to Ryan school and his hometown Kokomo was banned from Indiana. His challenging story suddenly pushed Ryan to the national stage, where he turned attention to a strong power to change his perceptions about those living with HIV/AIDS.
He had no idea how far his message would reach. Still, he was determined to use it for better. His courage inspired his creation Elton John AIDS FoundationStay safe and well who continues to help people around the world and around the world.
During his diagnosis, doctors lived only six months to Ryan. Six valuable years later, on April 8, 1990, we sat together in Ryan’s bed and held his hands as we lost his young, heroic life to AIDS. First Lady Barbara attended the funeral of Bushand businessman Donald Trump He came to the family home to pay his respects.
When Americans had to take compassionate action, Ryan opened the door and called on everyone to take and help.
Ryan White Care Law saves lives
Four months later, on his behalf, the congress was almost unanimously enacted Ryan White Care Law – Providing basic HIV maintenance and treatment to Americans living with virus. After years of fear and paralysis, the US government finally committed to participate in the struggle against our common enemy: AIDS.
Ryan would be grateful for progress. Today, more than 500,000 Americans living with HIV are treated as life -saving through the Ryan White Care Law.
Idea: CDC will not finance the prevention of HIV of local organizations and will not ignore the health needs of KY
In 2019, President Trump was proudly started . End the HIV epidemic attempt At the address of the Union Status – an effort to prevent the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030.
This evidence -based strategic initiative has achieved new results and new HIV infections in targeted communities 21% And connect new HIV diagnosed people to vital care and support services.
Termination of AIDS continues at full speed throughout the United States, but the work has not been done yet – especially with young people in the south, now the most affected.
We are grateful for continuing the critical financing of the pre -congress budget to end the Ryan White Care Law and HIV epidemic efforts. This is a confirmation of the effectiveness and bilateral support of these programs.
Elton John and Jeanne White-Minder joins a Elton John Aids Foundation Gala in New York in 2017.
Recommended budget cuts threaten the progress in HIV
However, the offer is Federal financing to states for HIV surveillanceTest and training; For community -based organizations that reach the most risk areas; And for reducing HIV infections, it is very important for drug addiction treatment and mental health programs.
Attempts to cut Medicaid are also worrying because 40% of people living with HIV It covers care and treatments by Medicaid.
Without this basic insurance, many people living with HIV would not take the care and medication they need to keep them healthy. President said Don’t deal with medicaid. We accept.
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Since we are trying to eliminate the disease that ends Ryan’s life, programs that provide treatment, fuel prevention and fighting stigmatization should be eliminated and eliminated.
In 1988, Ryan White was 13 years old when AIDS was diagnosed after blood transfusion in 1984. When Ryan tried to return to school in Kokomo, Indiana, he faced discrimination about AIDS. Together with his mother Jeanne White-Minder, he gathered because of the right to go to school and attracted national interest. Ryan died in April 1990 a month before high school graduation. In 1990, the Congress adopted the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (Care) Law.
The opportunity to change the game is to scale the prevention drugs that keep people without HIV. Last American -led Preparation development – A pill or shooting that prevents the virus from retention – It is only the tool you need to finish the assistants, but only if we make it accessible for those who need it.
Economy Compelling: 14,000 people can get $ 30 ($ 30) a year for lifetime treatment costs one person With HIV ($ 420.285)-Keeping Americans healthy, non-HIV-containing and productive.
The real moment is here. As we think of management and congress investment priorities next year, we want them to continue to unite their forces in the fight against AIDS in the United States and worldwide.
Together, this generation once created this opportunity to end AIDS in the United States until 2030, as it was called by President Trump. Together, they can take this opportunity by prevention banking.
Ryan wouldn’t expect anything less.
Jeanne White-Minder is the mother of Ryan White. World -renowned musician Elton John Elton John AIDS Foundation In 1992.
This article was initially published on the Usa Today: ELTON JOHN: USA can end HIV, but Trump cuts the progress cuts | Idea
