AIDS Foundation
seeks Obama for sponsorship of HIV act

Recalling Illinois senator Barack Obama's past cosponsorship of the Early Treatment for HIV Act, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and 49 accompanying organizations have sent a letter to the presidential hopeful to gain his cosponsorship for the 2007 version of ETHA.

The letter explains that ETHA, by means of more widely allocated Medicaid coverage, will help low-income, HIV-positive patients stay healthy while avoiding emergency hospital visits and subsequent financial burden. Illinois senator Dick Durbin, as well as 28 other senators, are signed on as cosponsors.

The AFC's 49 allies include Illinois and nationwide organizations.

ETHA was introduced in March by Oregon senator Gordon Smith and New York senator Hillary Clinton. (The Advocate)