For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Cub Barrett,
Program Communications Manager
(212) 806-1602
cub.barrett@amfar.org
NEW YORK, June 28, 2012—amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS
Research on Thursday applauded the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold
major portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which will improve access to
health care for thousands of Americans living with HIV/AIDS and advance
progress toward achieving National HIV/AIDS Strategy goals.
“Today the Supreme Court announced a decision that will
bring us closer to achieving the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy,
including providing access to treatment for thousands of people living with HIV
who are not receiving this lifesaving care,” said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost.
“By expanding coverage and banning the denial of coverage based on pre-existing
conditions, many thousands more people will have access to essential HIV
prevention and treatment services.”
According to the White House, fewer than one in five American
(17 percent) living with HIV/AIDS have private insurance, and nearly 30 percent
do not have any coverage. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy, unveiled in 2010,
calls for expanded access to treatment for people living with HIV and broader
delivery of prevention and testing services to those who are especially
vulnerable to HIV infection.
“Health reform is the game changer in this epidemic,” said
amfAR Vice President and Director of Public Policy Chris Collins. “Now it is
critical that all state governments embrace federal funding that will expand
their Medicaid programs, ensuring that lower-income people in the U.S. have
access to the care they need.”
About amfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the
world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS
research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound
AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $366
million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research
teams worldwide.