Obama

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) thanks the U.S. House of Representatives for passing historic health care reform legislation last night and the thousands of AIDS advocates in Illinois and across the country who urged this critical action. This landmark legislation will expand health care access for 32 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands with HIV.

As I sit here, I can’t help but ask the question, “Just how did I find myself headed to Washington, DC to advise on public policy at the White House?” It’s been a whirlwind fall that all started with me applying for and being selected as a member of the newly formed IL Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy (IL ASAP), a group of statewide policy and advocacy leaders picked to increase community involvement in HIV/AIDS activities, and fight for fair policies for those living with and at risk for HIV and AIDS.

On November 12, 2009, IL ASAP was fortunate enough to take part in a National HIV/AIDS Strategy Focus Group.  Jeffery Crowley, Director of the White House Office of National Aids Policy and Senior Advisor of Disability Policy was the guest at the focus group and listened as community members spoke to issues that need to be addressed when forming the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.  I testified at the focus group meeting regarding the barriers facing transgender, women, and aging populations; I had a lot to say!

On the One Year Anniversary of the election of President Obama,
there is still:

“Change…” Worth Fighting For!!

On Tuesday, November 3, the first anniversary of the election of President Barack Obama, Chicago leaders will gather in front of Grant Park to rally our support for the “Change” we believe is worth fighting for.

President Obama addressed the nation less than an hour ago about the urgent need for health care reform. His impassioned speech provided concrete details on how to retool the country's patchwork health care system that is failing millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands living with HIV.

Yesterday, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) delivered a letter expressing its thanks to President Obama for signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law last week.

Check out this posting by the AIDS Foundation Chicago's Communications Director Jonathon Briggs on the Huffington Post about why the much-debated $400 million in funding for STD screening and prevention in Obama's new stimulus plan is so necessary.

AFC Congratulates U.S. Senator Roland Burris
Group Urges Sen. Burris to Champion Healthcare Reform and HIV Prevention

John Peller, AFC Director of Government Affairs, dishes up a 2008 year-in-review and 2009 predictions for Illinois AIDS advocacy.

As we near the end of 2008, let’s look back at some of the political highlights of the year and dust off the crystal ball to see what the future might hold.