Democratic presidential candidate
Hillary Rodham Clinton met with HIV/AIDS activists in Brooklyn on
Thursday.
The meeting, held at Clinton's Hillary
for America headquarters in Brooklyn, included representatives from
numerous organizations dedicated to ending the epidemic.
Speaking before the meeting took place,
Clinton called for an end to the HIV/AIDS epidemic “once and for
all.”
“We do have the tools to end this
epidemic once and for all, but we need to rededicate ourselves to
fighting HIV and AIDS, and leaving no one behind,” Clinton said.
“That means continuing to increase research and expanding the use
of medications like PrEP. It means capping out-of-pockets expenses
and drug costs, and building on President Obama’s National HIV and
AIDS Strategy to increase the number of people on HIV treatment
worldwide.”
“And let's reform outdated,
stigmatizing HIV criminalization laws.”
Clinton added that the issue mattered
to her deeply.
“I know many of us have lost friends
and loved ones to AIDS. We owe it to them and to the countless
people whose names we will never know to continue this fight
together,” she said.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President
Chad Griffin applauded Clinton in a statement.
“It is essential that our next
president be an outspoken champion for ending the HIV and AIDS
epidemic,” Griffin said. “Secretary Clinton’s meeting today
with advocates underscores her commitment to do everything she can to
help people living with and affected by HIV, and to work with us to
end the epidemic and the continued stigma around HIV.”