TJMS: Roland Martin Talks with Rae Lewis-Thornton about Obama HIV/AIDS Initiative, Says Language is Good, Questions Amount of Funding
Roland Martin talks with AIDS activist Rae Lewis-Thornton about President Obama’s HIV/AIDS initiative. Thornton commends the President in identifying who the disease affects, gender issues, and intravenous drug use as it relates to HIV/AIDS. She goes on to say that “The language of his [President Obama’s] plan is excellent, however he is not saying too much new”. Thornton explains that the Bush Administration encouraged HIV testing, coordination of resources and fast approval of HIV drugs.
Thornton expresses concern about the amount of money being put into the program by stating that Illinois spends $17 million in HIV programming and the President’s plan calls for $30 million in spending. Thornton said, “…it’s a dollar short, it’s a day late. They spent fifteen months working through a plan to find out what people on the ground floor already know”.
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