In This Issue

The process of rolling out the Affordable Care Act in Mississippi has been particularly tumultuous. Writer Tamara Holmes examines the challenges unfolding in the Magnolia State, which has a larger percentage of African Americans than any other state. We share a powerful video about stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS, produced by our friends at AIDS.gov.

Contrary to the images of upwardly mobile white men portrayed on television shows like "The New Normal," LGBT Americans are quite likely to be poor and economically marginalized. We share a Colorlines article exploring the push to end employment discrimination faced by LGBT people of color.

New research shows that antiretroviral medications seem to protect the hearts of children who have had HIV-1 infection since birth. And Kaiser Health News reports on how nationwide, many hospitals are pressing state legislators to support Medicaid expansion – an effort that in some cases is pitting them against Republican lawmakers who have lined up against the Affordable Care Act.

Yours in the struggle,

Leisha McKinley-Beach