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HIV-infected volunteers from Houston
and Dallas gathered in Austin, Texas, Monday, March 4, to share with
legislators how HIV/AIDS programming has helped them to survive HIV for
decades.
Januari Leo, public affairs field
specialist for Houston’s Legacy Community Health Services, organized HIV
Advocacy Day to encourage Texas legislators to accept Medicaid expansion and to
pass Texas House Bill (HB) 1119. Sponsored by Rep. Yvonne Davis (D-Dallas),
HB1119 would mandate insurance coverage for HIV testing and establish HIV
testing as routine medical care; individuals could opt out of HIV testing.
Texas Governor Rick Perry has opposed Medicaid expansion.
According to Leo, 24 percent of
Texans currently are uninsured, and Ryan White funding, which provides HIV
medications for many uninsured people, is uncertain. Passage of HB1119 would
increase HIV testing in rural and suburban areas, where HIV tests are not
readily available.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
