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)