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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2008
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Contact: Zach Goldberg
202-225-5801 (office) |
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HOLT SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO HEIGHTEN U.S. EFFORT
TO COMBAT GLOBAL HIV/AIDS, TB, AND MALARIA
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(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12) today issued the following statement today in support of the bipartisan, House-passed U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act, which would provide $50 billion over five years for programs to combat those diseases around the world.
I rise today in strong support of the Tom Lantos and Henry J Hyde United States Global Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, H.R. 5501.
This important legislation reauthorizes and expands the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). I have long supported this bold initiative that has made the U.S. a leader in this critical health and moral issue of our time. PEPFAR has shown to the world our nation’s vision and compassion in addressing this healthcare crisis.
Five years ago, an estimated 31 million people were living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, anti-retroviral drug treatments were expensive, and approximately 8,200 people were infected with HIV/AIDS every day.
I have heard from a number of my constituents about their support for continued U.S. efforts to combat AIDS and the spread of HIV around the globe. It is obvious that Americans care. In the absence of a cure for AIDS, this worldwide epidemic continues to spread at an alarming rate.
That is why I am pleased that H.R. 5501 makes an important transition from emergency relief to the establishment of long-term and sustainable AIDS relief programs. The legislation also works to better integrate the tuberculosis and malaria programs with the HIV/AIDS programs. This is essential because in sub-Saharan Africa tuberculosis is the leading killer of individuals with HIV/AIDS.
Since the creation of this program, the United States has invested more than $19 billion to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The results have been striking. By the end of 2007, the United States has helped provide anti-retroviral drug treatments to approximately 1.5 million people with AIDS, supported care for 6.6 million —including 2.7 million orphans and vulnerable children — and helped to prevent more than 157,000 infant infections.
H.R. 5501 greatly expands our efforts abroad by authorizing a total of $50 billion over five years. This total includes $41 billion for HIV/AIDS programs, $5 billion for malaria programs, and $4 billion for tuberculosis programs. This dramatic increase in funding will help partner countries continue to identify and meet targets for treatment and prevention. Additionally, the funding will help build and strengthen the existing health systems in host countries.
While I support the underlying bill, I do have some concern about one specific issue. I have long been concerned by the restrictions placed on how PEPFAR funds can be spent. I have opposed the requirement that one-third of the funds be spent on abstinence-only education because it has not proven to be a successful way to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. A report by the Government Accountability Office found that this restriction tied the local hands of public heath workers.
I believe that PEPFAR funds should be spent on the most effective HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention strategies available. That is why I am pleased that H.R. 5501 removes the requirement that one-third of the funds be spent on abstinence education. As this bill works through the legislative process, I hope that any language in the bill that might be interpreted to limit funding to programs that are compliant with the global gag rule be removed.
Our country has done more to end the spread of HIV/AIDS in the last five years than any nation has in the history of the world. We must continue. This bill represents a reasonable expansion of our efforts and makes the important transition to permanent HIV/AIDS relief. I urge my colleagues to support this investment in the health of our global community and in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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