1989

Nearly 100,000 Americans died of AIDS since 1981.  After a 2-year battle with AIDS activists, the drug company Burroughs Wellcome agreed to lower the price of the drug AZT by 20%, making it more accessible to those who need it. 

Despite this small victory and the endorsement of the FDA, many insurance companies were still refusing coverage and nearly 60% of AIDS patients still could not afford the steep price of the drug.