Coburn's Tacks Unfunded Mandate to Ryan White HIV/AIDS CARE Act

Senator Tom Coburn M.D. (R-OK) announced at a press conference this morning his intention to add comprehensive opt-out HIV testing to the AIDS services packages provided by the Ryan White CARE Act, which is up for reauthorization as the Ryan White Care Act Reauthorization (S. 2823).  The reauthorization awaits favorable treatment in the Senate.

The Ryan White Act has suffered in the past from inadequate funding in Southern states, which now make up the majority of AIDS cases in the United States.  Coburn suggested that his reccomended opt-out (as opposed to opt-in testing that must be initiated by the patient) HIV testing will remove the discouraging stigma of testing and result in higher numbers of diagnoses and status recognitions.  

Coburn did not, however, indicate where the extensive funding needed to provide comprehensive opt-out testing would be taken from.  Advocates of Title X clinics worry that their own funding will be "donated" to the cause.  This is a worrisome, but probable, outcome that would devastate such clinics that are already strapped for money as it is.  With a rapidly increasing clientele and ever-rising pill costs, this funding cuts to these clinics in favor of opt-out testing could speed the demise of already ailing Title Xs.

•  Well...

  ...at least the crazy fucker is consistent and isn't adding any new spending.  Sure, he's crazier than Mel Gibson on meth and Manichewitz, but he hates government spending.

  by Jay Elias on Thu Sep 21, 2006 at 01:21:42 PM PDT

  •  i suppose he just prioritizes

    HIV prevention over family planning, at least in ideology. And that wouldn't suprise me in the least, because he is both a doctor and an anti-choice conservative.  None of us want to see one put above the other, but it hurts to kick these clinics while they're down. eh?

    by Texas Blue on Thu Sep 21, 2006 at 01:26:05 PM PDT

    •  Well...

      ...he's also nuts.  He's the guy who said that lesbianism was so rampant in junior high schools that they couldn't let two girls go to the bathroom at the same time.

      by Jay Elias on Thu Sep 21, 2006 at 01:50:17 PM PDT

      •  he did???!!

        ok, that's it. he is SO not invited to my birthday party.  i wonder if he's a misogynist.

        by Texas Blue on Thu Sep 21, 2006 at 01:55:44 PM PDT

      •  In his defense

        He was just quoting a local official.  He does oppose gay rights efforts, but you are taking that quote out of context.  Here's the Kos transcriptof the quote:

        You know, Josh Burkeen is our rep down here in the southeast area. He lives in Colgate and travels out of Atoka. He was telling me lesbianism is so rampant in some of the schools in southeast Oklahoma that they'll only let one girl go to the bathroom. Now think about it. Think about that issue. How is it that that's happened to us?"

        Tom Coburn, 8/31/04

        by Adam C on Thu Sep 21, 2006 at 02:10:44 PM PDT

        •  yes but even the whole quote

          seems to suggest that he's just shaking his head in horror about such a high incidence of "lesbianism." doesn't much change the meaning.

          by Texas Blue on Thu Sep 21, 2006 at 02:12:48 PM PDT