Georgia HIV Advocacy Network Congratulates Congressman Hank Johnson and Senator Johnny Isakson for receiving the Highest Ranking For Support of AIDS Drug Assistance Program

ATLANTA, GA (March 1, 2012) -  Two members of Georgia’s congressional delegation received the highest marks possible in a congressional scorecard released today by the ADAP Advocacy Association. Democratic Representative Henry "Hank" Johnson (GA-4) had the highest score among House Members.  Senator Johnny Isakson (R) was one of only two US Senators to receive the highest score possible.

The Georgia HIV Advocacy Network, a program of Georgia Equality, congratulates Congressman Johnson and Senator Isakson for earning these exceptionally high marks.  “We are so proud to have two members of Georgia’s congressional delegation recognized for their commitment to all people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Georgia Equality executive director, Jeff Graham.  “The fact that they come from two different parties clearly shows that the issue of HIV is not and should not be seen as a partisan issue.”

The Congressional Scorecard ranked the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on numerous items, including floor votes on appropriations and other bills directly impacting ADAP, co-sponsors on pending legislation improving ADAP and other relevant legislation, Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus membership and whether they issued public statements about ADAP during the year. The scorecard issued one of four grades: Fail, Pass, Pass with Honors or Pass with Excellence. 

Of the remaining members of Georgia’s delegation, four Congressmen received a score of “Pass with Honors”  and four Congressmen and Senator Saxby Chambliss received a score of “Pass.”   The remaining  Congressmen all received failing scores.

Graham added, “While there are so many members of both parties who we can be proud of, it is troubling that such a large number of Congressmen from Georgia do not support this life-saving program.”

According to the most recent information available from the Department of Public Health, more than 40,328 people are known to be living with HIV/AIDS in Georgia.  Of those, more than 1,072 people remain on a waiting list for life-saving medications that are provided to people living with HIV/AIDS who are uninsured and have low-incomes through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).  Since July, 2010, Georgia has had a waiting list for this program.  As of February 23, 2012, 4,251 individuals in eleven states were on waiting lists for ADAP.  For the past year, Georgia’s waiting list has consistently been one of the largest in the nation.  ADAP is a component of the federal Ryan White Program and receives funding from both federal and state appropriations.

The full press release from the ADAP Advocacy Association and details on the scorecard can be found using the following link: http://www.adapadvocacyassociation.org/reportcard.html

Georgia Congressional Delegation Scores

House Pass with Excellence Hank Johnson (D) – District 4 Pass with Honors John Barrow (D) – District 12 Sanford Bishop (D) – District 2 John Lewis  (D) – District 5 David Scott (D) – District 13 Pass Tom Price  (R) –  District 6 Austin Scott (R) –  District 8 Lynn Westmoreland (R) –  District 3 Robert Woodall (R) –  District  7 Fail Paul Broun (R) –  District 10 Phil Gingrey (R) –  District 11 Tom Graves (R) –  District 9 Jack Kingston (R) –  District 1

Senate Pass with Excellence Johnny Isakson (R) Pass Saxby Chambliss (R)

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