Comments on: HRSA Seeks Public Input on Ryan White Reauthorization

By: Helen Goldenberg

Helen Goldenberg — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 20:10:32 +0000

COMMENT: Tell Congress to reauthorize Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act in 2013

I Helen Turner Goldenberg am a 28 year AIDS survivor, HIV AIDS Advocate/Activist, Peer Educator, Co-founder of Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church’s AIDS Ministry (Christians Joined At The Heart Against AIDS), member of Ryan White Planning Council of the Dallas Area and it’s Consumer Council Committee; Also member C2EA (Campaign to End AIDS), Resource Center Dallas Co- Facilitator of At The Kitchen Table (ATKT) support group, National Association for People with AIDS (NAPWA), Afiya Center HIV Prevention & Sexual Reproductive Justice, President of Joint Activities Committee at AIDS Services of Dallas (ASD)…

Based on all these Hats, I say, tell congress to reauthorize the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act in 2013. In light of the expansion of health insurance coverage that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will bring, Ryan White should certainly evolve; the program may look different but it will still serve as an important “Safety Net” for vulnerable populations living with HIV/AIDS in covering gaps. Even in 2014 and after, there will be a great need for working together (Ryan White and Health Care Reform)as it relates to people living with HIV AIDS: specifically Ryan White will fill in gaps not covered by Medicaid or Private Insurance (for very low income persons, below $15,000 (138% FPL) and those with Private Insurance with income between $15,000 & $44,000 (138% to 400% FPL). Additionally Ryan White will provide a safety net for legal immigrants not eligible for Medicaid (5yr ban) and undocumented immigrants. I can further envision that the Ryan White Program will fit into the new health care paradigm with ongoing working group meetings to review needs, begin development of community agreement/position, ALL in an effort to continually provide a seamless, flexible, and efficient healthcare system dedicated to the wellness and empowerment of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Let us remember the following:

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

By: Brian Datcher

Brian Datcher — Thu, 24 May 2012 23:54:05 +0000

As a person that AIDS lives with daily and a person that has used Ryan White services to get me back on my feet, was a God send… I feel the time has come to better educate and imform consumers of health prevention and HIV prevention and stop the big salaries of adminastrator really look at what Ryan White services and see who has the biggest HIV population that is out of care and late to care. This may be telling you something. The need it for housing and health education and people making a career out of HIV/AIDS Ryan White services. People working in the HIV community, “should be working their way out of a job” and working for a CURE! Also Prevention and care should have been working together 20 yreas ago… Every HIV service provider and state and local health departments should be working together and sharing data and be on the same page… This would help with better care and prevention outcomes… carand prevcentio

By: Brooker Terry

Brooker Terry — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:25:44 +0000

The reform will help with medical coverage but with the government getting more involved with the care; I believe that they are not taking a look at the whole picture of the person. The basic struggle with daily life and the need to be able to be secure in the fact that there are still programs to help with minor set backs (in their eyes it is major, ie. loss of electric)will give a sense that life can be handled with a strong support system. The non-profits that assist persons with HIV/AIDS are needed for that purpose and should not lose funding because of the government involvement.

By: J

Wed, 16 May 2012 21:49:21 +0000

I’m both a case manager for people living with HIV and HIV positive myself. From personal and professional experience, I know that Ryan White funding has tremendously helped myself, my clients, and many others who are HIV positive. From State ADAP programs to social support and mental health counseling, Ryan White has had a major impact in my life and the lives of many others. It is with great magnitude that I respectfully request that Ryan White continue even through the first few years of the Affordable Care Act in order to faciliate any gaps in services. To my knowledge, the ACA will mostly benefit those who are below 135% FPL. What happens to those between 135% and 300% who still are not able to afford their health insurance premiums and medication/office visit copays themselves. I’m asking that you please extend the Ryan White program after 2013 and and until another option is created that helsp serve this population. Thank you.