US May Lift Entry Ban on HIV Patients

For more than two decades, anybody who is HIV positive has been prevented from entering the United States. But with President Barack Obama’s support, the ban will likely expire soon, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) taking public comments until August 17. The department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will then make the final decision. “We’re trying to end the stigma and the discriminatory practice for a disease that doesn’t warrant exclusion for coming into this country,” said the director of the CDC’s division of global migration and quarantine, Dr. Martin Cetron. “We have to appreciate this is not a threat we face from abroad.” He acknowledged that “HIV is clearly a public health disease of significance,” but added that simply letting somebody with HIV into the country does not “immediately pose a risk to the public.”

The proposal could allow an average of about 5,000 HIV-infected people into the United States each year. And according to a CDC estimate published in the federal register, the lifetime medical costs of those admitted in just the first year would total almost $100 million. The United States is one of about 15 countries that prevent entry of HIV-positive patients, though it is possible to obtain a waiver under certain conditions. See US May Lift Entry Ban on HIV Patients

The New American

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School contacts mother

SPRINGFIELD – Henry M. Thomas III and two other officials from the New Leadership Charter School on Friday visited the mother whose 11-year-old son committed suicide after she said students bullied him all year.

Thomas, who helped found the school in 1998, made his first public comments since the death Monday of sixth-grader Carl J. Walker-Hoover to The Republican on Friday.

“The entire New Leadership Charter School is upset and saddened by the loss of Carl. Eleven years old – you know, as a father and a parent, it’s just inconceivable to imagine an 11-year-old taking his life, his precious life,” Thomas said over the phone.

See School contacts mother The Republican – MassLive.com

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“Traditional Marriage” Resolution Passes – Sioux City Sides with the Bigots

One of today’s most controversial topics drew passionate comments from Sioux City residents Monday, as the City Council debated a resolution supporting the “traditional” definition of marriage, between one man and one woman.

“Because character, in my opinion, is all about faith and beliefs.” Councilman Ferris talked for several minutes Monday, explaining why he re-introduced the resolution after voting to table the measure in December, 2008. “Our belief system is at the base of those decisions.” He said morality is more important than being politically correct. He claimed the council ‘skirted’ the issue when it tabled the resolution. “I have an obligation to my faith,” he explained.

But after opening to public comment, some residents agreed with Councilman Rixner, echoing his argument that the resolution is none of the City’s business. “The separation of church and state, is that sacred, anymore,” said one resident.

But voices like hers were outnumbered a dozen times over, in a room with few chairs to spare. Many argued for traditional marriage, but for different reasons. ”We will most certainly face the issue of polygamy,” said another supporter, continuing, “If we give them an inch, they’ll ask for a mile.

See “Traditional Marriage” Resolution Passes
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