Dodd Thanked For Fixing Problem

Contact:
Shawn M. Lang,
860-543-9113
Director of Public Policy, CT AIDS Resource Coalition
Co-Chair, AIDS LIFE Campaign

Connecticut HIV/AIDS Community
Pays Tribute to Senator Dodd's
Commitment to People Living with HIV/AIDS

(Hartford) In the wake of Senator Dodd's retirement announcement, the CT AIDS Resource Coalition (CARC) pauses to honor the Senator for his stalwart leadership and advocacy on behalf of people living with HIV/AIDS and applauds his long history of work in the areas of health care, choice, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other critical issues.

"During the reauthorization of the Ryan White Care Act this past fall, Senator Dodd followed the legislation through from beginning to end, ensuring that the fragile safety net of care for Connecticut's people living with HIV/AIDS stayed intact," said Shawn M Lang, Director of Public Policy.

During the 2006 reauthorization in, Connecticut suffered a $3.3 million loss due to technical language in the bill that conflicted with the state's HIV reporting process. Due to the Senator's focused attention, the problem was fixed.

John P. Merz, Executive Director further stated, "Senator Dodd's leadership on this issue as well as health care reform and so much more, has only served to protect the well-being of all of Connecticut's most vulnerable citizens. His retirement will leave a tremendous void whose loss will be deeply felt. We wish him well in his new endeavors."

Currently, there are 10,860 people living with HIV/AIDS in the state; ranking 14th in the nation in AIDS cases per capita. Connecticut ranks 1st in the nation in AIDS cases among injection drug users and third in cases among women and Latinos. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 25% of people with HIV/AIDS are unaware of their status.

CARC is Connecticut's statewide AIDS coalition whose mission is to advocate for quality housing and services for all people living with HIV/AIDS in Connecticut.