July 24, 2008

House to Move PEPFAR Reauthorization to Oval Office

The U.S. House of Representatives on July 24 prepared to pass and send the $48 billion five-year President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to President George W. Bush, The Associated Press reports (ap.google.com, 7/24).

Bush, who founded the existing $15 billion plan in 2003, is expected to sign the bill that will triple funding for programs to fight and prevent AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria around the globe.

According to the article, 10 percent of funds will be allocated for orphans and vulnerable children, as in the current plan. The revised PEPFAR aims to prevent 12 million new infections, treat more than 2 million positive people in the developing world, support care for 12 million people living with the virus and train at least 140,000 new health care workers and paraprofessionals.

The Senate attached to the PEPFAR reauthorization bill a provision that will eliminate the two-decades-old travel restrictions placed on HIV-positive foreigners trying to enter the United States as immigrants, students or tourists.

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John P. Sholly, Grass Valley, 2008-07-25 02:05:10
How much of that money will be used here in the US for our programs. The reason I ask is because our program here in Grass Valley, CA has been cut to shreds and my hours as a Benefits Specialist for HIV/AIDS clients have been cut to 10 hours a week, not enough time for me to really be effective in assisting people with their needs. If you could tell me what will be allocated for California in this new bill I would greatly appreciate it. I have been HIV+ since 1193.