In This Issue

Over the past month, we've been examining what the reports about the baby who supposedly was "functionally cured" of HIV mean for Black America. In Part 1 we asked whether the infant actually had the virus at all. In Part 2 we considered the mother's lack of prenatal care and the fact that she fell out of HIV care. In this issue the series' writer, Rod McCullom, examines the role that Mississippi's politics and policies play in driving the HIV rates in the Magnolia State, where the baby was born.

Recently the US Preventive Services Task Force issued new guidelines that recommend HIV testing for everyone ages 15 to 65. Our friends at AIDS.gov report. Jason Collins wasn't the first Black LGBT athlete to come out as gay. We run a story from Colorlines.com profiling 9 other Black athletes who paved the way.

Also, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius introduces us to the simplified application that will be used to apply for coverage in the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace, as well as Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. And speaking of the ACA, Kaiser Health News reports that differences in state spending may have a tremendous impact on consumer enrollment in the health insurance marketplace.

Yours in the struggle,

Raniyah A. Coleman