Obama Administration's Lifting of Restrictions on Visas for HIV-Positive Foreigners Opens Program to International Clients
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's largest surrogacy agency announced today that the number of babies born to HIV-positive clients is expected to more than double in 2010 as its program for HIV-positive men using their own sperm to create embryos continues to expand in the U.S. and abroad. In 2009, Growing Generations had 5 babies born to HIV-positive parents working with surrogates and in 2010 more than 10 babies are expected.
"It is so amazing for us to see these babies being born to loving, healthy parents who have dreamed of this opportunity for years," said Growing Generations CEO Stuart Miller. "As the first agency to create a program specifically for clients with HIV, our expertise and guidance of this process is unparalleled."
Participants in Growing Generations' HIV program go through the same process as other clients with the addition of an extensive health screening and preparation process for the sperm which virtually eliminates any risk of exposure to the surrogate or embryo. Many men with HIV show no material trace of the virus in their semen. The sperm preparation process has been used for more than a decade in non-surrogacy related pregnancies and, as is the case with all of Growing Generations surrogates and babies, no one has become infected with HIV.
The program is now available not only to citizens of the U.S. but to international clients as well due to the Obama administration's lifting of the restriction on visas for HIV-positive foreigners. In January of this year, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed HIV infection from the list of diseases that prevent non-U.S. citizens from entering the country.
"We are extremely pleased that the Obama administration has removed a restriction that should have been removed a long time ago," added Miller. "Our company has always been at the forefront of fighting against discrimination and our ability to now serve clients with HIV from around the world is something we are very proud of. We anticipate that as people with HIV learn of this opportunity, we will continue to see more of them choose surrogacy as their family building option."
To learn more about Growing Generations, please visit http://www.growinggenerations.com/.
Since 1996, Growing Generations has been a company passionately dedicated to the vision of creating life and, in the process, changing the world. Founded by gay and lesbian parents, our mission is simple -- to build families of choice for communities around the globe through surrogacy, egg donation, and sperm donation.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
By the People: The Election of Barack Obama
I watched them write the speeches, I heard them flesh out the words. I relived every moment of that magnanimous night–that time we as Americans made our voices heard. Then they flashed a photo of the 44th President of the United States: Barack Obama.
You must see, "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama." I will remind you of why you vote. I got my copy from Netflix–no late fees involved–however, I will purchase a copy to have permanently.
I never want to forget the campaign. I cried and relived every moment. We have to remember as a nation, as a supporter, as voters, who we voted for and why. Don't believe the spin on the nightly news. It is not always true.
I entered the campaign after the Iowa win. Up until that point, I thought Barack Obama would follow in the footsteps of the Rev. Jesse Jackson and rack up some votes and yet again prove a point but not win the presidency. I didn't know Barack Obama then and was prepared to vote for Hillary Clinton. At best, I would have voted for John Edwards. I just didn't know any better and that is so sad. Then, during my nightly routine, I saw him during the Iowa Caucus victory speech and then I believed.
I saw that he thought as I thought, he believed as I believed. He had my voice and he has carried it to the highest seat in our nation. He was me and so I voted for myself. I never in my life thought I would hear someone echo my thoughts about my country and society the way our president did as he campaigned. I was astonished but I knew if I voted for Barack, then I would be voting for myself. This DVD helped me relive all of that. Don't miss it! Get it today.
You must see, "By the People: The Election of Barack Obama." I will remind you of why you vote. I got my copy from Netflix–no late fees involved–however, I will purchase a copy to have permanently.
I never want to forget the campaign. I cried and relived every moment. We have to remember as a nation, as a supporter, as voters, who we voted for and why. Don't believe the spin on the nightly news. It is not always true.
I entered the campaign after the Iowa win. Up until that point, I thought Barack Obama would follow in the footsteps of the Rev. Jesse Jackson and rack up some votes and yet again prove a point but not win the presidency. I didn't know Barack Obama then and was prepared to vote for Hillary Clinton. At best, I would have voted for John Edwards. I just didn't know any better and that is so sad. Then, during my nightly routine, I saw him during the Iowa Caucus victory speech and then I believed.
I saw that he thought as I thought, he believed as I believed. He had my voice and he has carried it to the highest seat in our nation. He was me and so I voted for myself. I never in my life thought I would hear someone echo my thoughts about my country and society the way our president did as he campaigned. I was astonished but I knew if I voted for Barack, then I would be voting for myself. This DVD helped me relive all of that. Don't miss it! Get it today.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Gary art lover walking to Indy to retrieve painting :: Local News :: Post-Tribune
Gary art lover walking to Indy to retrieve painting :: Local News :: Post-Tribune
A local guy has been tracking priceless artwork said to belong to the city for years. Somehow, it was sold by auction or just disappeared from walls over the years, Jim Nowacki claims. He is now walking from Gary to Indianapolis Indiana to retrieve a found piece. If anything, Jim is dedicated.
A local guy has been tracking priceless artwork said to belong to the city for years. Somehow, it was sold by auction or just disappeared from walls over the years, Jim Nowacki claims. He is now walking from Gary to Indianapolis Indiana to retrieve a found piece. If anything, Jim is dedicated.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Magnesium: Why Your Heart is Begging You for More of This Essential Nutrient
Magnesium: Why Your Heart is Begging You for More of This Essential Nutrient
I just found out that adults need more than 380 grams of Magnesium a day! Deficiencies in this mineral can lead to tingling extremities, nausea and abnormal heart rhythm.
I just found out that adults need more than 380 grams of Magnesium a day! Deficiencies in this mineral can lead to tingling extremities, nausea and abnormal heart rhythm.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
President Obama and Vice President Biden Preview Initiatives for Middle Class Families
Discussion Previews a Key Theme for State of the Union Address
Washington, DC – Today, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will hold a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, where they will lay out key investments for middle class families. Today’s discussion will preview one of the key themes of the President’s State of the Union address, which include creating good jobs, addressing the deficit, changing Washington, and fighting for middle class families.
President Obama said, “We are fighting every single day to put Americans back to work, create good jobs, and strengthen our economy for the long-term. The additional steps laid out today focus on easing the burdens on middle class families who are struggling in this economy, and providing the help they need to get ahead.”
“Every day, middle class families go to work and help make this country great. For a year, our Task Force has been hearing that they are struggling with soaring costs and squeezed family budgets. These common sense initiatives will help these families cope with these challenges,” said Vice President Biden.
After traveling across the country the past year talking with families, caregivers, educators, students, seniors, as well as policy makers and experts, Chair of the White House Task Force on Middle Class Families Vice President Joe Biden will join President Obama to announce several recommendations of the Task Force. These initiatives, borne out of the meetings, travel and work of the Task Force, are aimed at helping middle class families afford soaring child care costs; care for their aging relatives; cope with the challenge of saving for retirement; and pay for their children’s college tuition.
Since its creation one year ago this week, the Middle Class Task Force has held 11 meetings around the country and at the White House. At these meetings, Vice President Biden heard from parents who were grappling with the costs of child care; students coming out of college drowning in debt; children of elderly relatives struggling to care for them; and workers who were barely able to pay their mortgage, much less save for retirement.
As a result of these meetings, conversations and feedback from around the country, the Vice President and the Task Force will propose several policy initiatives to help middle class families:
Since its creation on January 30, 2009, the Middle Class Task Force has held 11 meetings around the country and at the White House:
February 27, 2009: Green Jobs (Philadelphia, PA)
March 17, 2009: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Middle Class Families (St. Cloud, MN)
April 17, 2009: College Affordability (St. Louis, MO)
May 26, 2009: Green Jobs (Denver, CO)
June 23, 2009: Manufacturing in the 21st Century (Perrysburg, OH)
July 10, 2009: Health Reform Roundtable (The White House)
July 16, 2009: AARP/Health Care Reform Discussion (Arlington, Virginia)
September 9, 2009: Access to College (Syracuse, NY)
October 19, 2009: Middle Class Recovery Through Retrofit (The White House)
November 5, 2009: Roundtable with Policy Experts (Washington, DC)
December 16, 2009: Roundtable with Leaders in Manufacturing Sector (The White House)
Members of the Task Force include: Vice President Biden, Chair; the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Energy, Treasury, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Agriculture; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; as well as the Directors of the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors.
To read reports released by the Middle Class Task Force, please visit: www.WhiteHouse.Gov/AStrongMiddleClass.
Washington, DC – Today, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will hold a meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, where they will lay out key investments for middle class families. Today’s discussion will preview one of the key themes of the President’s State of the Union address, which include creating good jobs, addressing the deficit, changing Washington, and fighting for middle class families.
President Obama said, “We are fighting every single day to put Americans back to work, create good jobs, and strengthen our economy for the long-term. The additional steps laid out today focus on easing the burdens on middle class families who are struggling in this economy, and providing the help they need to get ahead.”
“Every day, middle class families go to work and help make this country great. For a year, our Task Force has been hearing that they are struggling with soaring costs and squeezed family budgets. These common sense initiatives will help these families cope with these challenges,” said Vice President Biden.
After traveling across the country the past year talking with families, caregivers, educators, students, seniors, as well as policy makers and experts, Chair of the White House Task Force on Middle Class Families Vice President Joe Biden will join President Obama to announce several recommendations of the Task Force. These initiatives, borne out of the meetings, travel and work of the Task Force, are aimed at helping middle class families afford soaring child care costs; care for their aging relatives; cope with the challenge of saving for retirement; and pay for their children’s college tuition.
Since its creation one year ago this week, the Middle Class Task Force has held 11 meetings around the country and at the White House. At these meetings, Vice President Biden heard from parents who were grappling with the costs of child care; students coming out of college drowning in debt; children of elderly relatives struggling to care for them; and workers who were barely able to pay their mortgage, much less save for retirement.
As a result of these meetings, conversations and feedback from around the country, the Vice President and the Task Force will propose several policy initiatives to help middle class families:
Nearly Doubling the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for middle class families making under $85,000 a year. This is accomplished by increasing their tax credit rate from 20% to 35% of qualifying expenses. The value of the tax credit nearly doubles for all families making under $85,000 a year, and every family that makes under $115,000 will see their tax credit increase.About the Middle Class Task Force: The Task Force, Chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, is a group of top-level administration policy makers, charged with the mission of focusing on developing policies aimed at raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America.
Additionally, for families struggling to join the middle class, the administration will provide a $1.6 billion increase in child care funding, the largest one-year increase in 20 years, to help an additional 235,000 children.
Limiting a student’s federal loan payments to 10 percent of his or her income above a basic living allowance. This will lower payments for hundreds of thousands of students, who are struggling to make ends meet coming out of college.
Creating a system of automatic workplace IRAs, requiring all employers to give the option for employees to enroll in a direct-deposit IRA.
Expanding tax credits to match retirement savings and enacting new safeguards to protect retirement savings, making it easier for families to plan for retirement.
Expanding support for families balancing work with caring for elderly relatives, helping them manage their multiple responsibilities and allowing seniors to live in the community for as long as possible.
The Task Force’s final report, and full recommendations, will be released in February.
Since its creation on January 30, 2009, the Middle Class Task Force has held 11 meetings around the country and at the White House:
February 27, 2009: Green Jobs (Philadelphia, PA)
March 17, 2009: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Middle Class Families (St. Cloud, MN)
April 17, 2009: College Affordability (St. Louis, MO)
May 26, 2009: Green Jobs (Denver, CO)
June 23, 2009: Manufacturing in the 21st Century (Perrysburg, OH)
July 10, 2009: Health Reform Roundtable (The White House)
July 16, 2009: AARP/Health Care Reform Discussion (Arlington, Virginia)
September 9, 2009: Access to College (Syracuse, NY)
October 19, 2009: Middle Class Recovery Through Retrofit (The White House)
November 5, 2009: Roundtable with Policy Experts (Washington, DC)
December 16, 2009: Roundtable with Leaders in Manufacturing Sector (The White House)
Members of the Task Force include: Vice President Biden, Chair; the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Energy, Treasury, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Agriculture; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; as well as the Directors of the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors.
To read reports released by the Middle Class Task Force, please visit: www.WhiteHouse.Gov/AStrongMiddleClass.
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