WASHINGTON, DC, September 24, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ — The ADAP Advocacy Association, also known as aaa+, today announced that it is collaborating with Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. Surgeon General, sending Members of Congress a letter outlining the importance of the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs). Dr. Satcher, who served as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States has been a vocal critic of the ADAP waiting lists.
“Who better than a former surgeon general with Dr. Satcher’s credentials to lend a helping hand to the nearly nine thousand people living with HIV/AIDS on ADAP waiting lists in this country,” asked Brandon M. Macsata, CEO of the ADAP Advocacy Association. “Whether it was his moving Op-Ed earlier this year in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, or his keynote address during our 4th Annual Conference in July of this year, Dr. Satcher has clearly demonstrated his leadership on the ADAP crisis. We’re honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with him on his congressional letter, which is now being circulated on the Hill.”
The Honorable David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D. was sworn in on February 13, 1998 as the 16th U.S. Surgeon General. He was known as the Surgeon General who listened to the American people and who responded with effective programs; he continues in his mission to make public health work for all groups in this nation.
The letter, in part, reads: “In addition to the sad fact that many people are going without treatment, and certainly early treatment of their disease, there is the other fact that people who are treated early actually are receiving the most cost-effective intervention. Hospitalizing a person who is in the late stages of AIDS can cost up to $100,000 or more for one hospitalization. In addition to being cost-effective, early treatment of people living with the AIDS virus also prevents spreading of the disease.”
As of September 15th, there were 8,804 individuals in 10 states on ADAP waiting lists, including Florida with 4,175 individuals; Georgia with 1,709 individuals; Idaho with 35 individuals; Louisiana with 1,087 individuals; Montana with 28 individuals; North Carolina with 350 individuals; Ohio with 21 individuals; South Carolina with 367 individuals; Utah with 58 individuals; and Virginia with 974 individuals.
To read Dr. Satcher’s congressional letter, click here or go to http://www.adapadvocacyassociation.org/pressroom.html. pdf only; evidently it’s too special for mere text. maybe that’s why no news org ‘cept SIDSoverSIXTY picked it up yet.
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