MISSING FROM THE HEALTH CARE DEBATE is a national conversation about the work we have left to do to combat HIV/AIDS right here in the United States. I can't mention this statistic enough: In the city of Washington, D.C., 1 in 20 people is HIV-positive, an infection rate higher than that of many African nations. Other American cities are fighting comparable battles. Communities of color are most at risk, with the infection rate growing exponentially among black and Latino young men who have sex with men, many of whom have sex with women as well. Yesterday, as Hillary Clinton released her universal health plan, John Edwards talked about health care political strategy, and SEIU members met in D.C., a group of 100 HIV/AIDS organizations released "A Call to Action" for "A National AIDS Strategy." It states, "The wealthiest nation in the world is failing its own people in responding to the AIDS epidemic at home." The group urges cooperation between federal agencies, states, NGOs, and the private sector to improve prevention and treatment; attack the underlying social factors, such as homophobia and lack of access to contraceptives, that increase vulnerability to infection; invest more into HIV/AIDS medical research; and establish clear goals and timelines to improve prevention and treatment outcomes. Here's hoping they can influence the health care debate. You can sign the statement here. --Dana Goldstein
