The reason why Sen Clinton held up the AIDs bill

[LynneSin]

(for those people who actually read the article and ignore the fact that WashPost tries to make it that Hillary is just campaigining for 2008)

In response, Clinton wrote to Alford yesterday, saying she agrees that AIDS "has had a disproportionate impact on people of color" and "that our federal government can do more." But she said that the Ryan White measure as drafted "would have a devastating impact on New York" and "unfairly shift millions of dollars in funding away from New York and other states that have been hardest hit by the epidemic, jeopardizing their ability to provide vital care and treatment services."

And I love this misleading quote:

Some critics see electoral motives behind Clinton's position. "If you look at the states she has to carry to become president -- California, New York, Illinois, Florida -- those would be the hardest hit if the formula were changed," said Charles Grant, founder of AbsoluteCare Medical Center Inc., the largest private HIV/AIDS medical center in Georgia.

Seriously, have you ever considered that California, Illinois and Florida along with her state of New York are also some of the largest populated states in the country and have some of the highest numbers of people with AIDs. I wouldn't call that courting for 2008, I call that common sense that we need to distribute this money fairly, not like some fucked up homeland security distribution system where somehow Indiana and Wisconsion have more national security risks than New York and California.

Some of you might call this a political ploy for 2008, but if it helps distribute the money to where it is most needed then perhaps it's all for the greater good!

Edit note:

Here's the breakdown of AIDS in the US
http://www.statehealthfacts.org/cgi-bin/healthfacts.cgi?action=compare&category=Health+Status&link_category=HIV%2fAIDS&link_subcategory=Cumulative+AIDS+Cases&link_topic=Cumulative+AIDS+Cases+All+Ages

Notice who's top of the list? Those states should be getting the most of this money

[MADem]

1. But, but, but....doncha know ya gotta dole out that money according to

how people VOTED?? Not where the problems lie!!! I mean, really, RED states have PETTING ZOOS that need ta be per-tected frum them terrists!!! Remember that monetary GOP thank you?

Of course, it would serve the bastards right if the folks with AIDS moved to the red states to avail themselves of the services....after all, it makes sense to FOLLOW THE MONEY! Then those Republicans would have to deal with the issues up close, and personal...

[Missy M]

2. Good for Hillary and I hardly think she is doing this for.....

campaign reasons. What she is saying makes perfect sense, that the money should be distributed fairly to the states with the largest portion of Aids cases. She's attacked even when she's doing the right thing and working for her state.

[LynneSin]

4. The money should be divided by the % of AIDs patients in your state

That way we know that the distribution isn't politically movitivated to help send more money to states that happen to be big Repuke supporters but fewer AIDs patients.

And Florida is a Red State and they are #4 so there!

[JackBeck]

3. The easiest way to sum this up:

The Ryan White money is going to be distributed the same way that Homeland Security money was distributed.

[madinmaryland]

5. Thanks for posting this!!

When I was the WaPo headline at lunch I had a :wtf: "here we go again" moment. Then after reading the artical her position and reasoning made sense.

:thumbsup:

[buddhamama]

6. I applaud her for it

n/t