Institute of Medicine Issues Second Report on HIV Screening and Access to Care

From The Office on National AIDS Policy

Today, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released the second report in a series that evaluates HIV testing policies and access to care. This report, which is entitled “HIV Screening and Access to Care: Exploring the Impact of Policies on Access to and Provision of HIV Care”, examines how Federal and State laws and policies and private health insurance policies affect entry into clinical care and the provision of continuous and sustained care for people with HIV. The report found that the lack of integration in State and Federal programs that assist people with HIV creates or exacerbates barriers to adequate HIV treatment. In addition, the report concludes that patients often experience medical and social difficulties as a result of their HIV status that, in turn, interfere with their HIV treatment.

Analysis: What Does Judge Vinson's Health Law Decision Mean?

From Kaiser Health News

Jackie Judd talks with legal analyst Stuart Taylor about the legal blow today to the new health care reform law. Federal Judge Roger Vinson, in Florida, declared the entire law void.

We All Have Important Roles to Play: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

From AIDS.gov

As we approach the 11th annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) on February 7th, we are reminded that the impact of HIV is greater among Blacks than any other racial/ethnic group in the United States. African Americans represent 13 percent of the U.S. population; but 46 percent of the estimated 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States are Black (that’s more than 500,000 African Americans living with HIV in the U.S. today). For more information visit the CDC’s page about HIV/AIDS among African Americans.

EDITORIAL

What's Love Got To Do with It?

“I've been thinking of a new direction  But I have to say  I've been thinking about my own protection  It scares me to feel this way.”
--Tina Turner

From ordering flowers to buying chocolates and making Valentine's Day dinner reservations, people all over the country are thinking about love this week. During this time of year, I often marvel at the things we do in the name of love and what we call love.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Coming Together to Fight HIV/AIDS

From The White House

To commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Senior Advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett shared her heart-felt thoughts on the importance of combating HIV/AIDS.