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GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR'S 2008
STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
New York, NY (Jan. 9, 2008) — Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is cautiously encouraged by Governor Eliot Spitzer's annual State of the State Address. Particularly heartening are the Governor's health care reform priorities, especially his commitment to expanding universal health care coverage to the 2.5 million uninsured people currently living in New York State. Guaranteed universal access to primary care, life-saving medications, treatment and prevention education is essential for the health and quality of life of all New Yorkers, particularly for those living with or at highest risk for contracting HIV.
"GHMC has long recognized the importance of regular, routine, accessible and affordable primary care as a means of preventing HIV transmission and for slowing the progression of HIV to AIDS" said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "We applaud Governor Spitzer's commitment to building a health care system centered on prevention and primary care."
Dr. Hill continued, "We share the Governor's belief that disease prevention is a matter of sound public policy," added Dr. Hill. "We welcome his focus on avoiding illness. GMHC, along with thousands of other community-based organizations throughout the state, knows first-hand what it means to have the right care at the right time. For many New Yorkers, these organizations are the first point of entry in beginning to determine a diagnosis for a person's physical or mental health. We know that prevention efforts are far more effective and far less costly—for the patient and for the State—than ambulatory care. By investing in community-based organizations, New York State can address health care needs in the very communities where people live, work, and raise families, rather than in the dozens of wonderful, but often distant, hospitals New York is fortunate enough to have."
GMHC is disappointed that the Governor failed to articulate specific proposals to combat the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York State. "New York remains at the epicenter of the AIDS crisis in the United States," added Dr. Hill. "We rely on Governor Spitzer's leadership to develop a comprehensive statewide plan for addressing the most significant health issue of our time. Growing fiscal pressures should not undermine needed increases in funding for HIV prevention, care, and services."
Governor's Spitzer plans to address Medicaid reimbursement rates and to counter the state's doctor shortage are a welcome improvement. Medicaid plays a critical role in providing comprehensive health care services and treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS. It is therefore imperative that low reimbursement rates and limited provider availability are adequately addressed in any universal health care coverage proposal. Reimbursement rates must be sufficient to enlist enough providers so that Medicaid care and services are available to the widest geographic area possible.
GMHC applauds Governor Spitzer's leadership in aggressively pursuing an expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Program, despite intense opposition by federal officials for expanded eligibility.
Although HIV/AIDS issues were not directly mentioned by Governor Spitzer, GMHC will work to get more New Yorkers tested for HIV and find the 1 in 4 people who are HIV-positive and do not know their status. We will work to ensure New York State further protects the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender New Yorkers by expanding employment non-discrimination laws and protecting our state's school children from cruel treatment by fellow students and by teachers and administrators based simply on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Protecting New Yorkers from discrimination is not just a civil rights issue, but a health care issue.
Finally, we applaud the Governor's commitment to affordable housing. However, no visionary housing policy would be sufficient without a commitment to providing stable housing to the neediest among us. As such, GMHC calls on Governor Spitzer to support stable housing policies for people living with HIV and AIDS.
GMHC looks forward to reviewing the details of Governor Spitzer's agenda for reform. We share the Governor's goals of reducing the number of uninsured and delivering accessible, comprehensive, quality health care to all New Yorkers.
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians. We provide services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City, and outreach and education to hundreds of thousands throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.gmhc.org.
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© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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