AIDS groups defend healthcare law

Healthcare cuts and hurdles to implementing healthcare reform would undermine major steps toward increasing HIV and AIDS testing, advocates and congressional Democrats said Friday.

Combating HIV and AIDS requires more people to get tested. "It also means protecting the Affordable Care Act," said Julie Scofield of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors.

She said the healthcare law, particularly its dedicated fund for prevention and public health programs, is critical to increasing AIDS testing and treatment.

Congressional Democrats made the same point during a news conference Friday to encourage AIDS testing. 

"I am deeply concerned that the progress we have made against this devastating disease is in danger of being reversed," said Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). Repealing the healthcare law would allow insurance companies to deny people coverage because they have HIV or AIDS, she said.

Lawmakers also said cuts to other healthcare programs, including Medicaid, would be damaging.

The Obama administration told state Medicaid agencies in 2009 that they could receive federal funding for population-based testing. Jeff Crowley, of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, told the The Hill he was not sure how many states have taken advantage.

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