Election 2012 Voter Info Races and issues that affect the fight against HIV/AIDS
In this guide you will find information on candidate positions regarding HIV/AIDS specific policy and health care policy. Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP) is proud to provide you with this guide on the issues and races that will have the most impact on the fight against HIV/AIDS. Voting is very important to our democracy. Please vote and make your voice heard and influence the policy decisions that will affect your daily life. *Please note that the information presented here are not endorsements of candidates or political parties.
President of the United States of America Strong leadership is necessary to shape public policy and end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Mitt Romney (Republican Party) Romney has said very little about HIV/AIDS in his campaign for the presidency. He has stated that he plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which includes many health care reforms that are beneficial to people living with HIV/AIDS. He released a statement during the 2012 International AIDS Conference recognizing the progress in “research, education, and delivery of medication, but more needs to be done.” As Governor of Massachusetts, he cut funding to state HIV/AIDS programs in every budget year.
Resources Republican Party Platform Romney Website on Health Care Romney Website on Other Issues
Barack Obama (Democratic Party) President Obama has discussed HIV/AIDS issues multiple times during his first term. His Office of National AIDS Policy released the first-ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The Strategy establishes policy and goals that our public health system must meet in order to end the epidemic. HIV/AIDS funding has remained flat in Obama’s budget proposals. The exception has been increases to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which has been increased several times. His signature policy achievement, the Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”) has multiple improvements to the health care system that will benefit people living with and those at risk for HIV.
Resources Democratic Party Platform The President’s National HIV/AIDS Strategy Affordable Care Act and HIV/AIDS
United States Senate
Deb Fischer (Republican Party) Deb Fischer has said very little about HIV/AIDS during her campaign. According to Fischer’s website, she has pledged to repeal the Affordable Care Act on “her first day in office.” Fischer has not given specifics on what she would do in place of the Affordable Care Act, and whether she would include important provisions for the HIV/AIDS community. Resources Nebraska Republican Party Platform (scroll down for Health Care specifics)
Bob Kerrey (Democratic Party) Bob Kerrey has said very little about HIV/AIDS during his campaign. According to Kerrey’s website, he says the Affordable Care Act was “a step in the right direction.” Kerrey says health care reform should be “based on real cost controls, bipartisan support, and real input from Nebraskans.” Resources Nebraska Democratic Party Platform (download and scroll down for Health Care specifics)
United States House of Representatives
District 1 Jeff Fortenberry (Republican Party) Fortenberry has said very little about HIV/AIDS during his campaign. While in Congress, he voted against the Affordable Care Act.
Korey Reiman (Democratic Party) Reiman supports Title X funding, which supports HIV testing and counseling, as well as education and counseling services related to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. He supports the Affordable Care Act as a “foundation” for the future of the country.
District 2 Lee Terry (Republican Party) Terry has said very little about HIV/AIDS during his campaign. While in Congress, Terry voted against the Affordable Care Act and has voted to repeal it in the House.
John Ewing (Democratic Party) Ewing has said very little about HIV/AIDS during his campaign. It is unclear whether Ewing supports the Affordable Care Act or not.
District 3 Adrian Smith (Republican Party) Smith has said very little about HIV/AIDS during his campaign. While in Congress, Smith voted against the Affordable Care Act and has voted to repeal it in the House.
Mark Sullivan (Democratic Party) Sullivan has said very little about HIV/AIDS during his campaign. He supports the Affordable Care Act.