CARE supports bill for U.S. leadership on HIV/AIDS

CARE
Tuesday, 29 April 2003

CARE, the international humanitarian organization, is welcoming President Bush's remarks today endorsing H.R.1298, The U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and TB Act of 2003. CARE urges lawmakers to support the bill in its current state, without any restrictions.

"Every day that passes without this crucial funding means thousands more deaths," said Peter Bell, president and CEO of CARE. "Since January, when President Bush made his State of the Union address, some 680,000 people worldwide have died of AIDS – 134,000 of them children under 15. More than a million people have been infected in the same period. In the fight against the pandemic, time is of the essence."

H.R. 1298 authorizes funding for the president's initiative to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean, announced in the State of the Union address. It would provide $15 billion over five years, including $10 billion in new money. The funds would include up to $1 billion per year for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

This legislation could prevent 7 million new infections, provide care and support for 10 million HIV-infected individuals and AIDS orphans, and offer anti-retroviral therapy for 2 million people in need.

The bill was co-sponsored by Reps. Henry Hyde (R-6 IL) and Tom Lantos (D-12 CA), with support from a bi-partisan group of lawmakers.President Bush has indicated he would sign it in its current state. However, the bill is likely to face amendments on the House floor that could jeopardize its passage.

"CARE calls on legislators to back H.R. 1298 without any restrictions that could impede its enactment," said Bell. "U.S. leadership is essential to the worldwide struggle against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is already the most devastating humanitarian crisis of our time – and quite possibly of all time."

About CARE: For 57 years, CARE has been a leader in the fight against global poverty. With a presence in more than 60 countries, CARE helps people in poor communities secure the ability to earn a living, to care for their families, to live free from discrimination, and to realize their full potential - socially, culturally and economically. Last year alone, CARE helped more than 31 million people around the world effect real, positive changes in their lives.

For more information, or to contact CARE, see their website at: www.care.org