How do people on low-incomes access HIV/AIDS treatment and care?
Care for people with HIV/AIDS needs to be given on several levels. The most obvious necessity today is antiretroviral treatment, which helps to prevent people developing opportunistic infections and other conditions associated with AIDS. However, during their lifetime, HIV positive people may find they need to access many other care services. They may need to stay in hospital for a while when sick, access sexual health services or obtain treatment for antiretroviral drug side-effects. HIV positive pregnant women may require extra care, and those with weakened immune systems may find they require treatment for minor ailments more frequently. Unfortunately, AIDS is a condition that particularly affects the poorer and more disadvantaged sectors of American society. While a few are able to cover the costs of their care through a good private medical insurance scheme, a large number must find another way to pay for their treatment. For the uninsured, or underinsured (those whose insurance d
