I chose the target population of people living with HIV/AIDS and how current government regulations affect this group of people. There have been many obstacles these nationwide advocacy groups have had to endure. Just to name a few of the fights these advocates still work for: the Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) and the use of the federal funding; and the HIV Entry Ban which was implemented to control the number of immigrants entering the United States with specified diseases on the "the list".
In 1989, Congress banned the use of federal funds for Syringe Exchange Programs (SEP) and to this date the ban has not been lifted. In 1998, the Clinton Administration still could not have the ban lifted when Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Donna Shalala certified that based on extensive research conducted that SEPs were effective on the strategy to reduce the transmission of HIV and that the program did not encourage the use of illegal drugs. "In the final days of 2007, President Bush signed the Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus spending bill, HR 2764." (2009) The ban was lifted for local funds in Washington D.C. but still not lifted for the use of federal funding. (¶ 2).
The HIV Entry Ban was born in 1987 for the purpose of HHS maintaining a list of "communicable diseases of public health significance". Any immigrant with a disease appearing on the list is not allowed to enter the United States. In 1987, HIV was added to the list.
HHS attempted to eliminate the ban in 1991 and 1993 by having the disease, HIV, removed from the list after scientific reports stated that HIV was not passed through casual contact, but rather through unsafe sexual activity and unprotected intercourse with an individual infected with the HIV virus and the use of contaminated needles for intravenous drug use. Unfortunately, Members of Congress and their supporters rejected the proposal and wanted to keep the ban in place.
Keeping this ban in place is hindering the fight against HIV/AIDS. On June 10, 1993, this act was written in a law stating (2009) that "For the next 15 years, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) were prohibited from entering the United States based on the both statutory law and administrative regulation." (¶ 2).
In recent years, 160 HIV advocacy groups focused on eliminating the ban by action letters and so forth. In July 2008, the statutory requirements were lifted to have "AIDS" removed from the list. This was just a partial victory and "HIV" still has yet to be removed.
This HIV Entry Ban goes against the global fight against HIV/ AIDS. These immigrants return to their countries where treatment for HIV is either limited or unavailable. When immigrants are deferred from entering the United States due to this ban, this continues to enable the progression of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This ban was born on an ignorant mindset and because this is still implemented, discrimination and fear have been a factor in turning away immigrants in need of medical attention.
When referring to the program of the SEPs, it is difficult to understand why it is that the ban of the use of federal funds cannot be lifted. The human services agencies, such as the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) and AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) cannot have full access to meeting the needs of this target population if there are not enough funds to go around for the use of clean and safe syringes. These are agencies continue to advocate AIDS prevention; their sole purpose is to improve the quality of lives infected by the HIV/AIDS virus and their families and the continued education of reducing and eventually eliminating the spread of new infections. It is unfortunate that these needs cannot be met and if they ever will be in the future of this progressing epidemic. If the fear of Congress is based on promoting the use of illegal drugs, why would many groups be trying so hard to have the access of federal funds... for the illegal drug activity? This would defeat the purpose and goals of these human services groups and organizations. This is plain ignorance of the part of Congress.
The HIV Entry Ban is in effect for a valid reason, although when immigrants are seeking the medical help that is not attainable in their countries, why not give in to these unfortunate ones and help in the global fight against HIV/AIDS? The epidemic is not only progressing here in the United States but it its progressing globally. To not clearly understand this is pure ignorance. As I stated previously, the battle to remove "AIDS" from the list was a minor victory, but how much longer do these advocacy groups have to fight to remove "HIV" from the list. The United States helps out countries in times of need during invasions of terrorist groups, so why not allocate the federal funds to continue the highly needed research for the cure of HIV/AIDS? It is that simple.
References
Until it's Over, AIDS Action Policy Brief (2009). Syringe Exchange and HIV/AID:
Background and History: Syringe Exchange Program Works: Syringe Programs Do Not Encourage Substance Abuse and Can Increase Access to Substance Abuse Treatment: Conclusion. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from AIDS Action web site: http://www.aidsaction.org/docs/Syringe%20Exchange%20and%20HIV.pdf
Until it's Over, AIDS Action Policy Brief (2009). The HIV Entry Ban: Background and History: Rationale for Travel Restriction: Evidence Against: Results of Ban: Current Administration Action: Conclusion. Retrieved October 10, 2009, from AIDS Action web site: http://www.aidsaction.org/docs/The%20HIV%20Entry%20Ban.pdf
