Added Challenges in Fighting AIDS: Red Tape, Delays

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Added Challenges in Fighting AIDS: Red Tape, Delays

Miami Herald (12/21/95) P. 1B
Rogers, Peggy

Patients and experts say that HIV-infected Dade County, Fla., residents sometimes must undertake monumental struggles to obtain public assistance. "We see people who are very weak, very much in pain, who have to take very long bus rides and then wait hours for services," said Martin Terris, director of planning and community development for the county's HIV/AIDS Planning and Management Organization. The nonprofit group recently conducted a study to assess the challenges that infected residents face and concluded that Dade can barely begin to fill the need for some services, especially housing. Some patients surveyed praised humane doctors and heroic, tireless social workers. Still others reported physicians who had rejected them, including one who hid behind a curtain, and insensitive workers. In addition, patients applying for state or federal assistance were required to fill out extremely detailed applications for several different agencies because the programs are administered by separate agencies. "This translates into a whole series of barriers to the person who needs care," noted Margaret Paternek, an associate director of the HIV/AIDS Planning and Management Organization.

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