WAITING LIST, A NATIONAL PROBLEM

Half the year has gone by and the waiting list for ADAP grows and grows. Most people are saying throw more money in the pot and that will solve the problem. Well I am not one of those people, I might be almost as liberal as you can get but I don't think doing the same thing that has failed us in the past will work in our future. I am of the opinion that we all have to make sacrifices in order to have an impact on the lives of those living with HIV and those yet to be diagnosed with the disease. The tax payers are doing their part in this struggle for survival and I commend them for their efforts. Now is the time for industry, especially the pharmaceutical industry, to step up to the plate.

I went to Washington with a group of inovative, forward thinking individuals who have an idea to challenge the pharmaceutical companies to take some of the burden of combating the ADAP waiting list problem. You can contact AIDS Healthcare Foundations for details about their proposal, but it is radically different from the status quo that it caused many lawmakers, and other functionaries to pause. Now is the time to put pressure on those who make the discisions for us, to do something to address this problem that make good fiscal and moral sense.

Don't wait for the other person to do the right thing, it starts with you and you are the catalyst that starts the chain reaction that gets the problems solved . Be incouraged, be brave and be bold and demand something be done, right now, to help those that have no voice of their own.

Another Year

So begins a new year and we make resolutions to do things differently. What can we do for those people on the waiting list, in Kentucky, needing these life saving medications. I believe we have to say with one voice that we refuse to accept that there isn't any funds to provide the medication needed to not only save lives but makes a big different in the quality of life of those infected with the virus.

If you are interested in joining forces with me and other likeminded people, to petition the state government to fund KADAP so those who need AIDS drugs will be assured of getting them. Contact me at edelencorp@yahoo.com and we will make a difference this year.

let make it a great year for everyone!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Bobby Edelen

ADAP???

I am posed with a question. Is there an alternative for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program? There has to be because there should never be people waiting for life saving drugs in the riches country on earth. It doesn't matter what the medication is for, I believe it is criminal for there to be a waiting list for any drug to treat any disease.

Tis the season for big talk and seemingly large gestures but what happens after the Holidays and real life sets in again. We must continue to think about those less fortunate than ourselves as we settle back into our comfortable lives.

If you don't know who your legislators are find out, call them and demand that they find ways to fulfill the needs of the people that need them the most and don't have a voice. Join the fight so we can all win.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Bobby Edelen

The state of HIV/AIDS in Kentucky

There many people infected and affected with and by the virus in this state, and there is little discussion about it. I think we are not as much ashamed as we are frustrated with the status quo.

There has to be a new way to combat the lethargy that has pervaded our communities, especially our communities of color.

The time is now and the fight is at our doorstep and we have to answer the call to action. Get tested, get empowered and get involved in the fight to end this plague.

Bobby Edelen

WAITING

When I think of waiting, an image of sitting patiently with expectations of something happening comes to mind. When we are talking about life saving medications we can’t afford to sit patiently because here in Kentucky people are not being taken off the list, yet almost every day more people are added. The expectation is not for something positive to happen but instead something dire with life threatening consciences about to take place.

We can be thankful that everyone needing medications are getting them at this time, thanks to the Patient Assistance Program; however, do we wait until people, that’s right people have to go without the life sustaining drugs they need before we take action? I think not! There are some things we can do now. Start a letter writing campaign, organize friends and family to call your state and national Representatives and voice their concern.
Keep watching this blog to see what happen with our efforts.
Bobby Edelen