WOMEN DENIED AIDS BENEFITS: WASHINGTON, DC, PROTEST OCTOBER 2

The Women's Caucus of ACT UP/DC is planning a demonstration
to be held on Tuesday, October 2, 1990, at the headquarters of
the Social Security Administration in Washington, DC. The Social
Security Administration is being targeted because of its reliance
on the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) definition of AIDS,
which prevents many women with HIV/AIDS from qualifying
for Social Security Insurance. Because of the CDC's exclusive
definition, 65% of women with HIV/AIDS are unable to qualify
for benefits they need to help pay for food, shelter,
transportation, or childcare.

The CDC's definition of "AIDS" is primarily based on the
symptoms and infections seen in white gay men, and ignores
the symptoms most often seen in women, such as pelvic
inflammatory disease. Individuals who do not show CDC-
defined symptoms are denied access to Medicaid, Medicare, and
Social Security benefits for which they would otherwise qualify.
Consequently, women with HIV/AIDS can die before they
receive any benefits. AIDS is a leading cause of death for
women in New Jersey and New York City, and infection rates
are rapidly increasing.

ACT UP plans to take action that will dramatize the
government's ineffectual response to the needs of women with
HIV/AIDS. The demonstration will take place at the Health &
Human Services building at the corner of Independence and 3rd
Streets SW at 12 noon on October 2, 1990. For more
information, call ACT UP/DC at 202/728-7530.