Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associates Press - November 29, 2007
John Edwards, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson and Joe Biden met a deadline to answer three questions posed by a group of central Iowa agencies including the AIDS Project of Central Iowa and Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa.
The questions, sent to Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, are part of the group's recognition of World AIDS Day 2007 on Saturday.
Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney declined to give responses, and there was no word from the other Republican or Democratic candidates. Answers from Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign were too late to be included in materials sent out by the coalition.
"They did respond 'yes' to the questions, but after the deadline," said Becky Johnson, with the AIDS Project of Central Iowa.
The question about lifting the ban on funding for syringe exchanges is a tricky one for politicians as critics argue that such programs encourage risky behavior and work against efforts to fight drug abuse. Others contend that needle exchanges are among the most effective way of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
The other questions could also be considered controversial by some.
All of the Democrats who responded, including Clinton's tardy response, said they would support replacing funding for abstinence-only programs at home and abroad with scientifically based HIV prevention programs that would include age-appropriate sex education.
They also responded 'yes' to a question about whether they support the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which would expand Medicaid to people with HIV.
The coalition said in a news release that there are nearly 40 million children and adults around the world living with HIV/AIDS. They added that there has been a "lack of leadership at all levels that has allowed HIV to continue to spread through inaction and failed promises."
The other agencies behind the questionnaire include the American Red Cross Central Iowa Chapter, Lutheran Services in Iowa Refugee Cooperative, Urban Dreams, Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network and Creative Visions.
On the Net:
AIDS Project of Central Iowa: http://www.aidsprojectci.org/
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