Candidates Oppose "Abstinence-Only" Sex Education, Support Medicaid Expansion for HIV-Positive People

Candidates Oppose "Abstinence-Only" Sex Education, Support Medicaid Expansion for HIV-Positive People

A majority of candidates that responded to an AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) survey opposes increased funding for "abstinence-only" sex education and supports expanding Medicaid benefits to cover persons living with HIV that are not yet disabled.

AFC sent the survey to 384 candidates in races for Congress, state executive offices, the Illinois General Assembly, and the Cook County Board of Commissioners. A total of 126 candidates responded, including 23 candidates for Congress, 10 state executive candidates, 80 General Assembly candidates, and 13 Cook County Board candidates. While AFC does not endorse candidates for public office, AFC conducts the survey to help inform AIDS advocates, persons living with HIV/AIDS, and the general public.

Candidates Oppose Bush Administration Policy

Eighty-three percent of federal candidates that responded to AFC's survey oppose federal guidelines that create incentives for "abstinence-only" sex education, and 83% of candidates for Illinois state offices that responded support health education that includes sexuality and HIV-prevention education for grades kindergarten through 12 in all public schools. These stances are at odds with the Bush administration, which has sought to promote abstinence-only sex education programs and, at the same time, to deny increased funding for other HIV risk-reduction programs.

The Bush administration's fiscal year 2003 budget proposal seeks a 30% increase in funding for "abstinence-only" sex education programs, which would bring the total funding for such programs to $135 million. To qualify for "abstinence-only" funding, an organization must avoid mentioning contraceptives and teach that a "mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage is the expected standard of human sexual activity." Meanwhile, Bush has proposed no increases in funding for comprehensive sex education programs, which not only discuss abstinence but also include information about contraception. Scientific research proves that comprehensive "abstinence-plus" education leads to lower rates of risk-behavior by young people. Moreover, there is no evidence that "abstinence-only" programs are effective.

Expansion of Medicaid Supported

Nearly all (87%) of the federal candidates that responded to AFC's survey support the Early Treatment for HIV Act (H.R. 2063, S. 987), which would allow state Medicaid programs to provide health coverage to economically eligible people living with HIV before the disease renders them disabled. Similarly, nearly three-quarters (71%) of survey respondents that are running for state offices support expanding Medicaid benefits for low-income, uninsured, HIV-positive individuals that are not yet disabled.

Medicaid provides medical care for low-income people who are disabled by end-stage AIDS, but it does not currently cover individuals diagnosed with HIV who are not yet severely ill. People with HIV need quality medical care early in their disease progression to help prevent and delay the onset of full-blown AIDS. Providing coverage to low-income people as soon as they are diagnosed helps keep them healthy and working, and reduces the need for costly hospital visits.

To raise awareness about the Early Treatment for HIV Act and the state's options, AFC launched an educational campaign earlier this year called Sensible Medicaid: Coverage for HIV. Dozens of organizations and individuals have already signed on in support of HIV Medicaid expansion as part of the campaign.

Candidates Show Broad Support for HIV Prevention, Including Syringe Access

Strong majorities of federal and state candidates that responded to AFC's survey support sound, HIV-prevention policy. Eighty-seven percent of all federal candidates support increased funding for AIDS-related efforts, including HIV prevention services. Seventy-four percent of the same group supports the Microbicide Development Act (H.R. 2405, S. 1752), which would increase federal funding for the development of HIV-prevention substances that could be used in addition, or as an alternative to, condoms.

More than three-quarters (76%) of all candidates that responded to AFC's survey support policies that grant individuals access to sterile syringes as a strategy to reduce HIV transmission among injection drug users, their partners and children. On the federal level, 74% of survey respondents running for federal offices support public funding for HIV-prevention services like needle exchange. In Illinois, a solid majority (63%) of survey respondents running for state offices supports current legislation (S.B. 155) to allow adults to purchase syringes without a prescription. Illinois is one of only five states that still require a prescription for the purchase of sterile syringes at pharmacies. Access to sterile syringes at pharmacies without a prescription has been proven to prevent the spread of HIV without increasing drug use.

Perfect Scores

Twenty-nine current candidates agreed 100% with AFC-recommended positions. They are candidate for U.S. Senate Dick Durbin (D); candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives Bobby Rush (D), Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D), Luis Gutierrez (D), Tom Berry (D), Danny K. Davis (D), Melissa Bean (D), Janice D. Schakowsky (D), Henry Perritt (D), and Lane Evans (D); candidate for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D); candidates for State Senate John J. Cullerton (D), Carol Ronen (D), Barack Obama (D), Susan Garrett (D), and Don Harmon (D); candidates for State Representative Sara Feigenholtz (D), Larry McKeon (D), Harry Osterman (D), Jason Farbman (G), Daniel J. Burke (D), Lovana "Lou" Jones (D), Richard Bradley (D), Sidney Mathias (R), and Gloria J. Urch (D); and candidates for Cook County Commission Bobbie L. Steele (D), Peter N. Silvestri (R), Mike Quigley (D), and Brian J. McPartlin (D).

AFC also invited all gubernatorial candidates to submit policy position statements on HIV/AIDS issues. Rod Blagojevich (D) was the only candidate to respond. Blagojevich also completed an AFC questionnaire in which he indicated 100% agreement with AFC's positions.

Established in 1985 to provide central leadership in the fight against the epidemic, AFC promotes sound HIV/AIDS public policy, funds HIV/AIDS care and prevention projects, and through its Service Providers Council, helps to coordinate the delivery of essential HIV/AIDS services.

Back to 2002 Candidate Questionnaire