Washington Blade - September 23, 2005

WASHINGTON - More than 1.5 million people in the United States have been infected with HIV since the first cases of what would become known as the AIDS virus were reported in June 1981, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. A new report summarizes the U.S. government's response to the epidemic, in which more than 500,000 people already have died, the foundation's HIV Positive Program reported. The group offers the most recent estimates for the prevalence of HIV in the nation, key trends, and data on the government's reaction. The largest portion of government spending to fight HIV is through Medicaid, which made up 49 percent, or $5.7 billion, of federal spending on HIV/AIDS in fiscal year 2005, the fact sheet shows. Medicare accounted for 25 percent or $2.9 billion of such spending, Ryan White program funds made up 18 percent, or $2.1 billion, and other sources made up the final 8 percent, or $0.9 billion, of the total $11.7 billion that the U.S. government spent on HIV/AIDS care last year. That total compares to an estimated $3.1 billion that the government spent on Medicare, Medicaid and Ryan White funding in 1995. The report notes, "Medicare will continue to be an important source of coverage for people with HIV/AIDS, particularly with the start of the new drug benefit in 2006."

Illinois governor increases HIV/AIDS funding tenfold

CHICAGO (AP) - Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) last week surprised an audience gathered to hear him announce the state would double funding for an HIV/AIDS awareness program targeting blacks when he returned to the microphone to say he was inspired to increase the money tenfold. It was unclear how the state would come up with the $2.5 million for the Brothers & Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS program. Blagojevich spokesperson Cheryle Jackson said the initial increase to $500,000 was budgeted for, but the additional $2 million was not. Still, she said she expects the governor to find the money. "I think it's a matter of priorities," Jackson said. "A crisis like this, you look at those kind of numbers [of blacks with HIV or AIDS], you kind of reshuffle the deck, reshuffle the priorities." Blagojevich said he spontaneously decided to step up the funding because he was so moved by other speakers.

Montana activists urge boycott of Blue Cross/Blue Shield

HELENA (AP) - Montana gay rights advocates are urging businesses to cancel their health coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, accusing the insurance company of discrimination. But the company said its decision to halt coverage on some policies for a person's unmarried domestic partner was based on a recent Montana Supreme Court decision and the state law that defines dependents. "It is not a moral decision," said Tanya Ask, vice president of government affairs for Blue Cross. "It's a very clear legal decision." The insurer recently decided to drop coverage in its "small group" plans for the insured person's unmarried domestic partner, regardless of whether the partner is a common-law spouse or a same-sex partner. The decision affects about 10,000 to 20,000 people, Ask said.

Sex-ed groups challenge abstinence curriculum

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two organizations that promote sex education are taking an unorthodox approach in their fight against federal funding of abstinence-only education programs. Relying on a little-used law that allows "affected persons" to seek the correction of information disseminated by federal agencies, the groups said last week that the abstinence education programs contain erroneous and ineffective information. They asked the Health & Human Services Department to correct it. About three-quarters of the challenges made under the two-year-old Information Quality Act have come from industry groups concerned about regulations. The two sex-ed organizations, Advocates for Youth and the Sexuality Information & Education Council of the United States, support educating youth about contraceptives as a means of avoiding pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Study finds Calif. gays smoke at twice the rate of straights

SACRAMENTO - Smoking rates may be at overall historic lows, but among gay Californians, the rate of smoking is significantly higher, according to new data from the California Department of Health Services. The report offers the first-ever population-specific data. Smoking rates among gay residents hit 30.4 percent, which is double the state average of 15.4 percent. The study shows that 32.5 percent of lesbians smoke, a rate almost triple that of women generally. Some 27.4 percent of gay men smoke, compared to California men in general who smoke at a rate of 19.1 percent. The highest smoking rates were discovered among gays ages 18 to 24, of which 43.7 percent smoke.

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