D.A.P. honors the passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy

(PALM SPRINGS, CA – August 26, 2009)

The American flag is flying at half-mast at Desert AIDS Project, in memory of the death of Senator Edward “Ted” Kennedy.

Even while the Obama administration grapples with forming the first-ever national AIDS strategy and the State of California cuts $56 million from AIDS care and prevention, Sen. Kennedy was a champion of HIV/AIDS health care since 1986. That was the year he sponsored legislation to establish a network of education and outpatient services for individuals infected with the AIDS virus.

Two years later, he successfully secured funding for the first substantial federal initiative related to AIDS treatment. Included in this “catch-all” health spending measure, Kennedy’s provisions expanded home and community care of victims, made for easier access to experimental drugs, and created a new national commission to establish AIDS policy.

But perhaps his most significant and ongoing achievement was his bi-partisan introduction – along with Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) – of the groundbreaking Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act in 1990, which created the single largest federal program for people with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. The law provided emergency relief to 13 cities that were hardest-hit by the AIDS epidemic.

“It is not an overstatement to say that Ted Kennedy helped to save the lives of countless Americans with HIV and AIDS,” said David Brinkman, Executive Director at Desert AIDS Project. “The Ryan White CARE Act is what has allowed us to provide medical care and social services to thousands of people. Without that kind of support, only the very wealthiest among us would have been able to afford the life-sustaining medications and ongoing care that Ryan White funding provided.”

The Ryan White CARE Act reauthorization of 2000 reaffirmed Sen. Kennedy’s commitment to providing health care and social services access for people living with HIV disease. The following year, D.A.P. honored Sen. Kennedy at their 2001 Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards gala with their Arts and Activism Award.

The loss of Sen. Kennedy will be felt deeply throughout the healthcare community, but particularly by those who owe their lives to the Ryan White program. Over the years, his office has worked closely with the HIV community not only on Ryan White, but on issues such as housing, returning to work and disability legislation. His passing will leave a deep void.

“Not only have we lost the Lion of the Senate, we have lost one of the HIV/AIDS community’s greatest protectors and supporters,” said Brinkman. “We will honor his legacy by advocating for extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act, prior to its sunset on September 30 of this year and for reform of our nation’s health care system. We must ensure that every person is provided with comprehensive access to the medical care and supportive services required to lead healthy, productive lives.”

Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers confidential HIV testing at a number of locations and widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. For more information call 760-323-2118.