DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Most Democratic presidential candidates
support lifting a ban on federal funding for needle exchange as a
way to protect public health, according to a questionnaire released
Wednesday by a coalition working to stop the spread of
HIV/AIDS.
John Edwards, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson and Joe Biden met a
deadline to answer three questions posed by a group of central Iowa
agencies including the AIDS Project of Central Iowa and Planned
Parenthood of Greater Iowa.
The questions, sent to Democratic and Republican presidential
candidates, are part of the group's recognition of World AIDS Day
2007 on Saturday.
Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney declined to give responses, and
there was no word from the other Republican or Democratic
candidates. Answers from Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign were too
late to be included in materials sent out by the coalition.
"They did respond 'yes' to the questions, but after the
deadline," said Becky Johnson, with the AIDS Project of Central
Iowa.
The question about lifting the ban on funding for syringe
exchanges is a tricky one for politicians as critics argue that
such programs encourage risky behavior and work against efforts to
fight drug abuse. Others contend that needle exchanges are among
the most effective way of stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS and other
diseases.
The other questions could also be considered controversial by
some.
All of the Democrats who responded, including Clinton's tardy
response, said they would support replacing funding for
abstinence-only programs at home and abroad with scientifically
based HIV prevention programs that would include age-appropriate
sex education.
They also responded 'yes' to a question about whether they
support the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which would expand
Medicaid to people with HIV.
The coalition said in a news release that there are nearly 40
million children and adults around the world living with HIV/AIDS.
They added that there has been a "lack of leadership at all levels
that has allowed HIV to continue to spread through inaction and
failed promises."
The other agencies behind the questionnaire include the American
Red Cross Central Iowa Chapter, Lutheran Services in Iowa Refugee
Cooperative, Urban Dreams, Community HIV/Hepatitis Advocates of
Iowa Network and Creative Visions.
