HIV Activists Rally At Capitol: 'Important Moment' In History

More than 600 activists and associates gathered at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to push for HIV funding from their congressional leadership and spread awareness of issues facing people with HIV and AIDS.

"This is an important moment in American history for all of us addressing health care. The HIV community will do everything it can to continue to lead the way to make sure that people have access to prevention, treatment and care,” said Jesse Milan Jr., president and CEO of AIDS United, a national non-profit organization that aims to end the AIDS epidemic in the U.S.

The rally took place just four days after Republicans failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which many see as a lifeline for those with HIV/AIDS.

The news has “given all our participants and advocates for HIV/AIDS a new sense of hope that there is a possibility of achieving victory on the legislative front,” said Milan at the annual AIDSWatch, an advocacy event taking place since the 1990s that spotlights issues from health care to research to sex education in schools.

Participants at the AIDSWatch rally support the protection of HIV care under the Affordable Care Act, specifically Medicaid and pre-existing conditions.