The town halls keep rolling. Tonight, one aimed at saving a generation.
Democratic congressman Jim Clyburn is speaking out about a health care reform issue impacting millions of African Americans.
"I almost passed out, continued to use drugs for some years."
That's how Deadra Lawson-Smith dealt with the devastating blow, 21 years ago, that she has HIV. A supportive network got her to a more positive, productive place in life.
"Once they addressed all the social issues I had, then it was very easy for me to address my HIV."
Tuesday night, she addressed hundreds others at the Drew Wellness Center for the saving the next generation town hall meeting. The gathering, hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the South Carolina HIV/AIDS care crisis task force, took aim at the alarming statistics in relation to the African American community.
"If you look at this map, check out SC among other states. The orange represents states with the highest rates among adolescents and adults."
Those stats, according to Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn directly impact the broader health care reform debate.
"Health care could be the ruination of our economy and HIV/AIDS could very well be the ruination of health care."
"How is health care and the health care proposal congress is looking at going to affect HIV/AIDs funding, treatment. I don't think we know that yet."
One thing Deandra knows is that reversing the numbers can be done, one person at a time.
"My favorite line is get tested, get tested, get tested."
