WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) who has been critical of Governor Bill Lee’s decision to reject federal HIV testing funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for non-profit organizations today applauded the CDC’s decision to directly fund the testing through the United Way of Greater Nashville.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Governor Lee’s decision to reject federal HIV epidemic funding is short-sighted and harmful. Since the community partners learned that their access to funding was being eliminated, I have been in regular contact with them, the CDC, and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. I applaud the CDC for finding a solution to ensure that the people most at risk of contracting HIV will not lose access to important prevention services and those with HIV can receive adequate treatment. As Co-chair of the State Medicaid Expansion Caucus, I will continue to fight to improve access to affordable health care for those with HIV and all who live in Tennessee.”
Congressman Cohen sought assistance on the issue from Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in January.