June 22, 2007

TROPICAL BREEZE

Things are looking just a tad brighter in Puerto Rico

The situation for people living with HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico is still dire but actions to remedy the near-total collapse of its AIDS infrastructure are appearing on the horizon. Yesterday, a Puerto Rico Health Department official leaked news of a plan to use an independent third-party entity to oversee the disbursement of antiretrovirals. Last week, a group of U.S. Congressional representatives announced they had drafted a bill to get emergency aid to the Commonwealth. And next Wednesday, June 27, the Puerto Rico-based Unidos Dándole Cara al SIDA (translation: United to Give a Face to AIDS) will stage a rally at Foley Square in lower Manhattan to bring attention to the crisis, along with support form Housing Works, Latino Commission on AIDS, Citywide Harm Reduction and other concerned organizations and individuals. For more information on the rally click here.

"We need to help to organize more PWAs so people in Puerto Rico are empowered to demand the health care they need," said Rosa Vazquez, an organizer from the New York Chapter of UDCS. "We need to keep the pressure on."

On Thursday, an official at Puerto Rico's Health Department tipped off Jose Colon ( profiled in The Update ) that there are plans in the works to hand over the disbursement of antiretrovirals to a third party, the Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM). PBM has an up-to-date computer system, unlike the antiquated Department of Health in Puerto Rico which still runs on pad and paper. The switch is expected to save money that could translate into cheaper drug prices and ease the pressure on the ADAP waiting list. "I'm hopeful but not totally happy. I'm just calmly waiting to see if this really comes through," Colon said.

Colon had refused to take his HIV meds in solidarity with hundreds of people who are waiting to enroll in the Commonwealth's ADAP. Colon recently resumed treatment after finding a cyst under each of his armpits. "It was scary and painful," he said, noting that his comrades who don't have access to meds have no choice but to endure such health problems.

A handful of U.S. politicians stepped up their involvement in Puerto Rico's lingering troubles last week. Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Hilda L. Solis (D-CA), Luis Fortuño (R-PR) and Jose Serrano (D-NY) introduced a bill, the HIV Emergency Local Partnership Act (H.R. 2736) that would provide emergency medical care to the island. On June 8, Velázquez and Solis also wrote a letter calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the disbursement of Ryan White Care Act funds.

"The growing number of HIV and AIDS cases in Puerto Rico is daunting," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "We cannot tolerate this kind of suffering, particularly when medical advances and educational programs are available, with proven success in decreasing the number of casualties."

Latino Commission on AIDS president Dennis deLeon says the Congressional action is a start, but remains frustrated with the lack of attention the federal government has had when dealing with Puerto Rico.

"I don't know what the hell is going on with the federal government," deLeon said. "There is no response from them whatsoever." deLeon is trying to arrange a Congressional delegation to visit Puerto Rico and see the crisis on the ground. A group of representatives from Housing Works and Citywide Harm Reduction are going next week to meet with community leaders and PWAs to offer support and guidance, particularly with needle exchange programs. "It's a priority that we give PWA activists in states and territories the support they deserve," said Robert Cordero, a member of the Housing Works delegation.

deLeon agrees that the job of those on the mainland is to offer guidance where needed. "The group in Puerto Rico are well-organized," deLeon said. "Ultimately we're following the lead of our sisters and brothers in Puerto Rico."

The Housing Works AIDS Issues Update is reported, written and edited by Diana Scholl, David Thorpe, Christine Campbell, terri smith-caronia and Housing Works staff. Send your feedback, leads and story ideas to d.scholl@housingworks.org.

You can reach us by phone at 212-967-1500 x168, by fax at 212-868-4222, and by email at d.scholl@housingworks.org. Housing Works provides housing, advocacy and services to homeless people living with AIDS and HIV. Housing Works is the nation's largest community-based AIDS organization and the nation's largest minority-controlled AIDS organization.

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