this is so awesome

I was a little cynical about President Obama during the first two years of his term. However, I've been slowly working my way over to the opposite position; that is, supporting President Obama. I found this on the Nashville CARES website while researching for a speech, and I must say, I am rather impressed.

Obama Administration Unveils First-Ever National Plan to Fight Domestic HIV Epidemic

Resources, Accountability and Strong Implementation Are Key

After three years of rigorous grassroots advocacy, the Obama Administration released the country’s first National HIV/AIDS Strategy this week.  The unprecedented plan sets forth an ambitious agenda to effectively address the domestic U.S. HIV epidemic.

“The National HIV/AIDS Strategy marks the culmination of years of hard work by the HIV/AIDS community,” said Nashville CARES CEO Joseph Interrante.  “Its release brings much hope to all Americans affected by HIV/AIDS.  Nashville CARES commends the President and the Office of National AIDS Policy for developing a plan to meet the challenges of the domestic HIV epidemic.”

The strategy sets three goals: reduce new HIV infections; increase access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS and optimize health outcomes; and reduce HIV-related health disparities.  It also addresses the social factors such as stigma and discrimination that contribute to vulnerability to HIV infection and poor health outcomes.  The clear goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes in the strategy must now be followed by sound and coordinated implementation with adequate resources and the engagement of multiple partners to produce actual results.  This would make NHAS the first truly effective, comprehensive national plan in response to the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic, now in its 30^th year. 

The high-note hit by the release of the NHAS stands in stark contrast to other recent developments in HIV/AIDS.  “The crisis in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, with more than 2,200 people currently on state waiting lists for life-saving medications, underscores that successful implementation will depend upon adequate funding,” said Interrante.  “This means new and increased funding targeted in ways consistent with the strategy, and not merely a redirection of existing funds.”

The release of NHAS is a critical step, but it is a beginning, not an end.  Implementation of the strategy must engage local community stakeholders as well as government, business and labor leaders, health care professionals, philanthropy, and faith communities in creating strategies that work locally.  Nashville CARES looks forward to working with its national, regional and local partners to ensure that the NHAS is successful, and that the United States become, in the words of the NHAS, “a place where new HIV infections are rare” and there is “unfettered access to high quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination.”