July 25, 2012 - A record 8 million people with HIV in poor countries were receiving potentially life-saving treatment last year. In an encouraging report on the AIDS epidemic, the United Nations says new infections among children are dropping steadily. New research shows that treating them early so they stay healthy also makes them far less likely to infect others. According to the United Nations program on HIV and AIDS, more than 8 million people with HIV in poor and middle-income countries received AIDS medications last year, up from 6.6 million in 2010.
Also, Florida's counties may reconsider a lawsuit against the state over disputed Medicaid fees. That's because the state slashed their bills by $171.4 million. It cut the disputed amount by more than half from $316 million to $146.4 million. Florida Association of Counties spokeswoman, Cragin Mosteller says that the organization is "taking everything under consideration." Mosteller also praised Governor Rick Scott for keeping his promise to ensure the counties are dunned only for what they actually owe. Scott made that pledge in March when he signed a law requiring the counties to pay the disputed charges. The association and 47 individual counties then sued in a bid to block enforcement. Counties are billed for a portion of the services their residents receive from the state-federal health care program.