Hundreds protest South Carolina's HIV funding cuts
47 replies, posted
[quote]When Deadra Lawson-Smith moved to South Carolina for a new job in 2006, her insurance company would not cover her pricey HIV medication because it treated a pre-existing condition.
So Lawson-Smith went without her drugs for about a year, her compromised immune system struggling to fight off colds, the flu and other health threats. She ended the year in the hospital, sick with pneumonia.
Luckily, a change in her insurance coupled with an influx of state cash to South Carolina's AIDS Drug Assistance Program enabled Lawson-Smith, 47, to get back on her medication and regain her health.
But her good luck - and the luck of about 2,000 other South Carolinians living with HIV/AIDS - may not last.
The current version of the state budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which starts July 1, eliminates all money for the Drug Assistance Program, which provides life-saving HIV/AIDS drugs to the state's low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents.
The budget also eliminates all money for the state's HIV/AIDS prevention programs.
Without the state funding, matching money from the federal government is also in jeopardy.
The cut would mean the 2,055 people enrolled in the Drug Assistance Program would no longer get help in paying for their medication and could face dire health consequences.
South Carolina is thought to be the first state in the nation to propose the elimination of its entire HIV/AIDS budget.
"We've got to get this funding. We've got to keep fighting," said Lawson-Smith, who rallied at the State House on Wednesday with hundreds of other HIV/AIDS advocates. "I don't think the Legislature wants anyone to die. This money allows people to live, to work, to be productive."
Dwindling state revenues are wreaking havoc on the state budget, forcing cuts to many of the state's agencies and programs.
State Rep. Joe Neal, D-Richland, has proposed a budget amendment that would restore $2.2 million in state money for the $5.9 million ADAP drug program.
"These are difficult (budget) times. But even in the midst of that, we have to find the resources to battle this disease," Neal said, pointing to a growing body of research that shows the South is where most of the new HIV/AIDS cases are occurring.
While Neal's partial restoration helps, it's won't be enough, say HIV/AIDS advocates.
Without the full $5.9 million being restored, some people will be dropped from ADAP and will go without their medication. And new people with HIV/AIDS, eligible for the program, will be put on a waiting list.
That waiting list could grow quickly.
In the past year, ADAP has received about 100 applications a month.
"The waiting list means people will be delayed in treatment," said Johanna Hayes, director of Horry County's Careteam, a nonprofit that advocates for people with HIV/AIDS. "Delayed treatment means they get sicker and end up in the hospital," costing taxpayers more on the back end.
South Carolina is considered by many to be a hotbed for the disease.
Per capita, the Palmetto State ranks eighth among states in the rate of new AIDS cases, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Columbia ranks ninth in its per-capita rate of AIDS cases among U.S. cities.
More than 14,000 South Carolinians have been documented as living with HIV/AIDS.
Read more: [url]http://www.thestate.com/2010/03/18/1205355/hundreds-protest-hiv-funding-cuts.html#ixzz0p5usGSoW[/url][/quote]
Cuz lettin them faggots die of aids is much cheepur den good ol' fashion 'stermnation! :clint:
Source: [url]http://www.thestate.com/2010/03/18/1205355/hundreds-protest-hiv-funding-cuts.html[/url]
So we're cutting funding to AIDS programs and schools first. What the hell is wrong with this state?
They may not need those cuts if us southerners STOPPED COMPLAINING ABOUT FUCKING TAXES.
Oh hey my state is doing something absolutely ridiculous again.
Why am I not surprised.
[QUOTE=Rediscover;22186609]Oh hey my state is doing something absolutely ridiculous again.
Why am I not surprised.[/QUOTE]
Because it's :banjo: ?
[QUOTE=staticman;22186619]Because it's :banjo: ?[/QUOTE]
It was a rhetorical question.
but yes.
[editline]03:14AM[/editline]
Like seriously there is, and I am not exaggerating, a fucking church on almost every street corner. Sometimes in the car I like to count them for fun.
[QUOTE=Rediscover;22186696]It was a rhetorical question.
but yes.
[editline]03:14AM[/editline]
Like seriously there is, and I am not exaggerating, a fucking church on almost every street corner. Sometimes in the car I like to count them for fun.[/QUOTE]
If you don't like South Carolina then move. I think South Carolina is great state to live in. Yes the government does some weird stuff sometimes, but it's really cheap to live here. Think about what you said. Do you realize what your saying? South Carolina is a conservative state, and religion is a big thing here. And I would just like to add, there are not churchs on every street corner.
[QUOTE=ProboardslolV2;22186589]They may not need those cuts if us southerners STOPPED COMPLAINING ABOUT FUCKING TAXES.[/QUOTE]
I don't even think that is the real problem. Our government spends stupid amounts of money on things that are totally unnecessary..
[QUOTE=Rich209;22186878]If you don't like South Carolina then move. I think South Carolina is great state to live in. Yes the government does some weird stuff sometimes, but it's really cheap to live here. Think about what you said. Do you realize what your saying? South Carolina is a conservative state, and religion is a big thing here. And I would just like to add, there are not churchs on every street corner.[/QUOTE]
I knew a kid who moved here from South Carolina
He was fucking retarded
[QUOTE=Perfumly;22186984]I knew a kid who moved here from South Carolina
He was fucking retarded[/QUOTE]
It likes since were conservative, everyone thinks South Carolina is a dumb state.
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187047]It likes since were conservative, everyone thinks South Carolina is a dumb state.[/QUOTE]
And since hate crimes are protected by the judges of SC, dangerous.
[QUOTE=Rich209;22186878]If you don't like South Carolina then move. I think South Carolina is great state to live in. Yes the government does some weird stuff sometimes, but it's really cheap to live here. Think about what you said. Do you realize what your saying? South Carolina is a conservative state, and religion is a big thing here. [b]And I would just like to add, there are not churchs on every street corner.[/b][/QUOTE]
I'm aware of all this.
I just find the amount of churches amusing.
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187047]It likes since were conservative, everyone thinks South Carolina is a dumb state.[/QUOTE]
No I mean if he could drive he would probably put a confederate flag on his truck
[QUOTE=Perfumly;22187071]No I mean if he could drive he would probably put a confederate flag on his truck[/QUOTE]
I know what you mean, but the confederate flag is part of the history of South Carolina. And I know, a lot kids put it up for the wrong reasons, but just because theirs a few thousand people that do it, doesn't mean everyone here does it. I think South Carolina is one of the most patriotic states in the USA, but that doesn't mean we all fly confederate flags over our houses..
[QUOTE=staticman;22187067]And since hate crimes are protected by the judges of SC, dangerous.[/QUOTE]
Meh, hate crimes are too strict. I mean, you normally don't single out any specific person unless you hate them, why should it be different for black people?
[editline]03:53AM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187145]I know what you mean, but the confederate flag is part of the history of South Carolina. And I know, a lot kids put it up for the wrong reasons, but just because theirs a few thousand people that do it, doesn't mean everyone here does it. I think South Carolina is one of the most patriotic states in the USA, but that doesn't mean we all fly confederate flags over our houses..[/QUOTE]
Being patriotic means you SHOULDN'T wave around confederate flags. The Nazi flag is a big part of German history, but it's now ILLEGAL to wave it around there.
and it's more like nationalism.
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187145]I know what you mean, but the confederate flag is part of the history of South Carolina. And I know, a lot kids put it up for the wrong reasons, but just because theirs a few thousand people that do it, doesn't mean everyone here does it. I think South Carolina is one of the most patriotic states in the USA, but that doesn't mean we all fly confederate flags over our houses..[/QUOTE]
No one said everyone was like that
When MOST of the population cooks meth and owns a full gun rack it's time to fucking move, no matter how proud your parents raised you to be
[QUOTE=innerfire34;22187257]gun rack[/QUOTE]
What exactly is the issue with this? Provided they're kept safe and not used for committing crimes.
[QUOTE]Being patriotic means you SHOULDN'T wave around confederate flags. The Nazi flag is a big part of German history, but it's now ILLEGAL to wave it around there.
and it's more like nationalism.[/QUOTE]
Gerogia's flag for years was the confederate flag. White and Black people approved of it.
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187145]but the confederate flag is part of the history of South Carolina.[/QUOTE]
but slavery is a part of the founding of america why can't i own black people
[QUOTE=Perfumly;22187277]What exactly is the issue with this? Provided they're kept safe and not used for committing crimes.[/QUOTE]
Meth + guns
HMMMMMMMM
[editline]04:02AM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187280]Gerogia's flag for years was the confederate flag. White and Black people approved of it.[/QUOTE]
what were these years?
[QUOTE=ProboardslolV2;22187290]Meth + guns
HMMMMMMMM[/QUOTE]
I'm pretty sure bible thumping southerners aren't usually the ones doing meth.
Though their mentality could most likely be compared to a meth head's, I doubt that's usually the case.
[editline]04:02AM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187280]Gerogia's flag for years was the confederate flag. White and Black people approved of it.[/QUOTE]
Did the negro community get together as a whole and decide that the flag is A-OK or are you just making shit up
[editline]04:06AM[/editline]
[QUOTE=ProboardslolV2;22187290]
what were these years?[/QUOTE]
methinks he is referring to 1956-2001
[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Flag_of_the_State_of_Georgia_%281956-2001%29.svg/800px-Flag_of_the_State_of_Georgia_%281956-2001%29.svg.png[/IMG]
Which isn't even quite the confederate flag. That's kind of like saying Chile is currently using Texas's flag
[IMG]http://www.vimooz.com/festivalticker/public_html/festivalticker/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/chile-flag.jpg[/IMG]
[QUOTE=innerfire34;22187257]No one said everyone was like that
When MOST of the population cooks meth and owns a full gun rack it's time to fucking move, no matter how proud your parents raised you to be[/QUOTE]
See there you go again generalizing us. You are right about the gun rack thing though, because I own one myself :). However, you can't say that MOST of the population cooks meth. That's such a small percent. Comparing California to South Carolina on that matter, would stand as California being the one with MOST of the population cooking meth. I mean the whole state is nothing but drugs. Is it wrong for me to say California is made up of mostly drug dealers?
Anyways, it's been fun debating, Good Night Guys.
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187380]See there you go again generalizing us. You are right about the gun rack thing though, because I own one myself :). However, you can't say that MOST of the population cooks meth. That's such a small percent. Comparing California to South Carolina on that matter, would stand as California being the one with MOST of the population cooking meth. I mean the whole state is nothing but drugs. Is it wrong for me to say California is made up of mostly drug dealers?[/QUOTE]
According to their logic California = 100% gay mexicans
[QUOTE=Perfumly;22187426]According to their logic California = 100% gay mexicans[/QUOTE]
Ha ha
[QUOTE=Rich209;22187145]I know what you mean, but the confederate flag is part of the history of South Carolina. And I know, a lot kids put it up for the wrong reasons, but just because theirs a few thousand people that do it, doesn't mean everyone here does it. I think South Carolina is one of the most patriotic states in the USA, but that doesn't mean we all fly confederate flags over our houses..[/QUOTE]
Hey guys here's a history lesson.
During the Gilded age the Republican party (which was moderate liberal and had a strong grip on the valuable northern states at the time) developed a simple strategy to keep the Democrats (who were extreme conservative and the beloved guardian of the south) out of office: [B]Associate the Democrats with the south, which everyone thought of as being full of unpatriotic traitors who hated being part of America.[/B] When people like Joseph McCarthy and later Ronald Regan changed the party into an extreme conservative one and began catering to redneck sheep, they took the "we are the patriots" strategy with them, forming one of the many great ironies in American history.
Seriously how do rednecks forget that the confederate flag was an ANTI AMERICAN symbol?
[QUOTE=Aredbomb;22187500]Hey guys here's a history lesson.
During the Gilded age the Republican party (which was moderate liberal and had a strong grip on the valuable northern states at the time) developed a simple strategy to keep the Democrats (who were extreme conservative and the beloved guardian of the south) out of office: [B]Associate the Democrats with the south, which everyone thought of as being full of unpatriotic traitors who hated being part of America.[/B] When people like Joseph McCarthy and later Ronald Regan changed the party into an extreme conservative one and began catering to redneck sheep, they took the "we are the patriots" strategy with them, forming one of the many great ironies in American history.
Seriously how do rednecks forget that the confederate flag was an ANTI AMERICAN symbol?[/QUOTE]
How can something be Anti-American? The American ideal is that you never blindly support your government. You pledge loyalty to your country, you don't pledge loyalty to your government. As stupid as the confederates were they were still fighting for "their" America.
[QUOTE=Perfumly;22187542]How can something be Anti-American? The American ideal is that you never blindly support your government. You pledge loyalty to your country, you don't pledge loyalty to your government. As stupid as the confederates were they were still fighting for "their" America.[/QUOTE]
"american" values:
Fiscal liberalism
social conservatism
Christianity
Capitalism
serving in the military
at least rooting for the military
"unamerican" values
opinions
hating a republican government
questioning a war
questioning a law
questioning anything
being gay
being a communist
recognizing the military has not fought in a real war for over 50 years and is now nothing but a bunch of meat headed WMD chasing welfare queens.
you are some kind of retard
[editline]04:44AM[/editline]
sorry, mentally handicapp'd
[QUOTE=Reaver1991;22187809]you are some kind of retard
[editline]04:44AM[/editline]
sorry, mentally handicapp'd[/QUOTE]
:(
[QUOTE=ASmellyOgre;22186466]So we're cutting funding to AIDS programs and schools first. What the hell is wrong with this state?[/QUOTE]
A good portion of racists believe only black people can catch it, so why learn about something that only black people can catch.
I'm not saying everyone from South Carolina is racist.. but..
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