Mike Quigley: “Woman, this program saves lives. HOPWA provides long-term housing assistance, permanent support of housing, homelessness…”

“Woman, this program saves lives. HOPWA provides long-term housing assistance, permanent support of housing, homelessness prevention, and support of services to one of the most vulnerable populations--low-income people with HIV. Housing is the greatest unmet need for people living with HIV, and HOPWA is the only Federal funding dedicated to directly addressing this need. Multiple studies have shown the lack of stable housing is the most significant factor limiting the use of antiretroviral medications regardless of insurance, substitutes, and other factors. Housing interventions improve stability and access to care. Let's be clear. If passed, this amendment will harm people's access to life-saving treatment. Let's get down to it. It is not lost upon me that among all the programs in this bill that support people with chronic diseases and other disabilities, this is the only one that has been singled out. This is a disease that can affect anyone, but HIV disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities, the LGBTQI+ community, young people, and people who inject drugs. It seems to me in an effort to deny resources to LGBTQI+ people in this country, this amendment will worsen health inequalities, exacerbate the opiate epidemic, and otherwise do irreparable damage to our Nation's public health. It is difficult to overstate the cruelty of this amendment and the damage it would do to public health and to one of our most vulnerable populations.…”