Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Assist Secretary of Health (DHHS), Dr. Howard Koh and Director Christopher Bates (Office of HIV/AIDS Policy) will be in town for a Community Town Hall on the National AIDS Policy. The event will take place from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Asian Counseling and Referral Services building at 3639 Martin Luther King Jr. Way South. Free parking is avaliable
Lifelong AIDS Alliance staff has been working hard preparing what they want to share at the meeting, and we would love to have you join us. Come prepared with a story to share and your ideas on what the Obama administration should have in the new national AIDS strategy. The event is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there!
Dr. Mr. President,
ReplyDeleteMy husband was diagnosed with AIDS/AIDS Dementia is 2002. John had been sick off and on for about 4 years. He saw doctors and specialists many times but since he didn't fit the "PROFILE" he was not tested for HIV/AIDS until 2002 when he was nearly comatose and not expected to survive. John had seen oncologist/hemotologist as well as a liver specialist who mis-diagnosed him! Joh had a blood transfusion in 1997 when he had surgery for a back injury. John did survive and is considered a miracle by his doctor. Our way of life changed overnight. We had dual medical insurance coverage as we both worked, retirement plan, and dreams and goals. That is all gone. We lost insurance coverage when John could no longer work. After 18 months, I chose to quit my job as a dental assistant so I could spend more time with my husband. I have worked part time as a temporary and fill-in assistant as the flexiblilty provides me with a way to spend time with John. I know longer have any benefits of any kind. John's medicine costs approx. $2200 a month. If it were not for state and federal funded programs, John would not hava access to medical needs or medicine necessary to survive.
I know the decisions are difficult, but I urge you to show compassion and follow your heart and impliment the funding and the programs needed by everyone living with this illness and for everyone that will contract this illness in the future. We have a moral obligation to care for those who are sick and in need. We shouldn't be worrying about the Swine Flu when HIV/AIDS is a worldwide pandemic right now!
I urge you to change the laws and to continue with programs and funding for people in this life or death situation.
Thank you and God Bless,
John & Kathy Wiley
Port Orchard, WA