Official Statement From Clinton Campaign Regarding Nancy Reagan / AIDS "National Conversation"

Hillary Clinton's campaign has issued this official statement regarding her statement yesterday at Nancy Reagan's funeral that the Reagan's helped begin a "national conversation" on AIDS."

"As Hillary Clinton has said, while the Reagans were strong advocates for stem cell research and finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease, she misspoke about their work on HIV and AIDS.

"Hillary Clinton has been a longtime advocate on the treatment and prevention of HIV and AIDS.

"In 1992, for the first time ever, the DNC Convention highlighted the AIDS plague and Bill and Hillary Clinton discussed the need to cure the AIDS plague in this country.

"As First Lady, Clinton traveled the world to raise awareness on combating AIDS and assembled government officials and world leaders to discuss how to enhance and coordinate AIDS efforts.

"As Senator, Clinton introduced and voted for legislation to improve and expand global AIDS research and assistance, improve global AIDS programs for women and girls, and prevention and education services.

"As Secretary of State, Clinton began an ambitious campaign to usher in an AIDS-free generation, focusing on improvements in treatment and prevention practices. This blueprint consisted of five goals:

1. Rapidly scaling up the most effective prevention and treatment interventions;

2. Targeting the populations at the greatest risk of contracting HIV, including key populations at risk of discrimination;

3. Promote sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness in the treatment of HIV/AIDS to ensure that we get the most out of every dollar spent;

4. Ensuring a global effort to achieve an AIDS free generation; and

5. Support research on innovative technologies for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

"As President, she will continue to drive towards the goal of an AIDS-free generation and will:

• Call on Republican governors to extend Medicaid coverage to provide life-saving health care to people living with HIV. Clinton believes that every state should extend Medicaid coverage to provide life-saving health care to people living with HIV.

• Cap out-of pocket expenses for people with HIV/AIDS. Clinton has announced a plan to hold the pharmaceutical industry accountable and to achieve lower drug costs for Americans, including for medications that help treat HIV and reduce the risk of contracting AIDS. Clinton will ensure that Americans can get the care their doctors prescribe by requiring health insurance plans to cap covered out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $250. She also will allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and will stop direct-to-consumer advertising subsidies for drug companies—reinvesting those funds in research.

• Expand the utilization of HIV prevention medications, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). While we work to diagnose and treat all Americans with HIV and AIDS, we also must work to prevent exposure. Decades of research are beginning to offer a promising path to prevention. Clinton will increase the CDC investment to ensure populations at greatest risk of infection have access to the drug, and encourage states to follow suit."