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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FEBRUARY 7, 2008
CONTACTS:
Paul Davis (215) 833 4102
Mary Carol Jennings (864) 992-3391
Jennifer Delaney (202) 489-4391
Jodi Jacobson (301) 257 7897
Adrienne Germain (212) 979 8500
Serra Sippel (301) 270-1182
Congress Poised to Reauthorize Legislation Aimed at Dramatic Expansion of Global HIV and AIDS Programs
Draft bill corrects flaws in existing policy; Legislation has overwhelming support of large global AIDS coalition
February 7, 2008 - Next week, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs will mark up the
U.S. Global HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of
2008 – funding programs currently implemented under the President's
Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). A coalition of more than 160
organizations representing advocates, service providers, researchers,
academics, and students is calling for swift passage of the bill, which
authorizes some $50 billion and seeks to create a "sustainable
response" to the global AIDS epidemic.
Changes from existing law include provisions to increase flexibility
for developing country prevention programs and increased support for
efforts to address the vulnerability of specific populations, including
women, youth, men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users -
groups among which are found the highest rates of new infection. The
bill provides increased technical and financial support for
strengthening health systems and supporting training of health care
workers; increases funding of scientific research for new vaccines,
microbicides and other prevention technologies; and calls for stronger
coordination of efforts across U.S. agencies on HIV/AIDS, TB, and
malaria programs.
"We are delighted that this bill recognizes the importance of building
a sustainable health care system in Africa," noted Paul Davis of HealthGAP. "Right now, there are more Ethiopian doctors in Washington, D.C. than in Ethiopia. UNAIDS projects
that 427,000 new health care workers are needed to achieve universal
access. The U.S. should train at least one-third of the new health care
workers needed and help build the capacity of impoverished nations to
respond to their internal health crises and move from emergency to
sustainability."
By increasing funding for global AIDS programs, the new legislation
commits the United States to supporting achievement of universal access
to AIDS treatment, prevention and care, and ensuring concrete progress
to combat tuberculosis and malaria. "This is critical," noted Mary
Carol Jennings from the AIDS Advocacy Network of the American Medical Student Association.
"Each year, more than 3.5 million people die of AIDS and there are some
2.5 million new infections. Meeting the internationally agreed goal of
universal access to prevention, treatment and care is the only way we
can end this epidemic."
Jennifer Delaney of Global Action for Children
said, "AIDS has left millions of children orphaned and vulnerable to an
increased risk of sexual exploitation and becoming infected with
HIV/AIDS. The new bill is an important step in breaking the cycle to
help end this epidemic."
A range of faith-based groups with partners on the ground strongly
support new approaches. "With over 360 grassroots partners in 36
countries - many of which have been adversely affected by restrictions
in the original legislation authorizing PEPFAR - American Jewish World
Service has banded together with other leading Jewish organizations,
such as the National Council of Jewish Women and the Union for Reform
Judaism, to advocate strongly for the Chairman's bill. There is
critical support throughout the American Jewish community for
effective, evidence-based prevention strategies aimed at saving as may
lives as possible," stated Jodi Jacobson, Director of Advocacy for American Jewish World Service.
With 7 new infections for every person put on treatment annually, the
need for effective, evidence-based prevention programs is growing
daily. The new bill therefore seeks to ensure the effective use of
taxpayer dollars by fixing critical flaws in the original legislation
authorizing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. "This
legislation meets the real-life circumstances of people at risk of HIV
infection and those living with HIV/AIDS, especially women and girls,"
said Adrienne Germain, President of the International Women's Health
Coalition. "Frankly, it's unconscionable that because of restrictions
like the abstinence-until-marriage earmark the US has not, up to this
point, been investing in the education and services needed to prevent
new infections."
"Numerous studies, including those by the Institute of Medicine and
the Government Accountability Office have show that this earmark
undermines effective HIV prevention programs," stated Serra Sippel,
Executive Director of the Center for Health and Gender Equity.
The bill further establishes in legislation a U.S. malaria program,
continuing and building upon the President's Malaria Initiative that
has already contributed greatly to improvements in the fight to
eradicate malaria. It also includes assistance for activities aiming
to prevent and stop the spread of tuberculosis, a disease that knows no
borders as witnessed by the MDR-TB case in the U.S. last spring.
The chairman's bill is a product of inputs from program
implementers, people living with and at risk for AIDS in PEPFAR
countries and experts working to ensure that the funds spent under the
bill do the most they can to positively impact individual lives.
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