Metro Weekly

Networking for Women

Positive Women's Network brings the group's important perspective to AIDS 2012

On the federal level, Rastogi sees some signs of progress for HIV-positive women with regard to the number of Americans with access to health insurance.

”We’re extremely excited about the Affordable Care Act,” she says. ”It is a bold move that helps serve women and girls.”

Specifically, she says, the law will increase access to insurance through Medicaid. Additionally, she’s pleased about the ACA’s potential for lowering premiums, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions.

Rastogi adds that the ACA will provide women with needed screenings, such as those for HIV or other chronic illnesses, and counseling, such as mental health services for victims of domestic violence, at no extra cost and without co-pays for preventative procedures.

All of these things, she says, will help increase women’s health outcomes by allowing them to access and stay in care, likely achieving viral suppression.

For more information about the Positive Women’s Network, visit pwn-usa.org.

This is the sixth in a series of articles leading up to the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), to be held in Washington July 22 to 27. For more information about the conference, visit aids2012.org.

Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism

These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!