January 31, 2006

President Calls for No New HIV Infections in America
Commits to New Funding, Testing and Treatment, and Partnership with
African American Churches

(Washington, DC) AIDS Action Board member, Pernessa Seele, founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead and a leader in African American Churches’ response to HIV was honored as a guest of First Lady Laura Bush at the State of the Union address. In his remarks this evening, President Bush called for a “nationwide effort” that will include “working closely with African-American churches and faith-based groups to deliver rapid HIV tests to millions” and to “end the stigma” faced by HIV positive individuals, and “come closer to the day when there are no more new infections in America.” President Bush also called for Congress to “reform and reauthorize the Ryan White Act…and provide new funding…so we end waiting lists for AIDS medicine in America.”

“We are pleased to see the hard work of our distinguished member organization, The Balm In Gilead, recognized as a part of the Administration’s plan to seriously address HIV here in the United States,” says AIDS Action’s Associate Executive Director Jenifer Johnson. “AIDS Action will work to guide the President in this agenda to meet the real needs of people living with HIV, and we will continue until the epidemic is over.”

In September 2005, the Ryan White CARE Act—the most comprehensive federal legislation dedicated solely to providing for HIV care and treatment services in the United States — expired. In the same year, as the President noted this evening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an upward revision of its estimate for the number of people who are living with HIV in the United States. It now exceeds one million (1,039,000 – 1,185,000). The agency has also reported that only half of the people with HIV infection in this country are receiving medical care. Tonight, President Bush acknowledged both of these facts and made addressing this country’s HIV epidemic a priority.

“The CARE Act reauthorization presents us with a golden opportunity to build on the successful history of our programs, remarks Dr. Linda Frank co-chair of Government Affairs for the National Association of AIDS Education and Training Centers and AIDS Action Council’s Public Policy Committee co-chair. “A renewed CARE Act is needed to improve the effectiveness of services and provide more skilled professionals to connect people to care, and keep them connected.”

In the past, the president has spoken forcefully about HIV issues in his State of the Union address:

The President must continue to urge Congress to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act and guide the House and Senate to modernize this legislation so that it responds to changes that have occurred in the epidemic since it was last reauthorized in 2000.

“Tonight, the President called for new funding and an end to the waiting lists for ‘AIDS medicine’ in America,” says William McColl, political director for AIDS Action Council. “Nearly a year ago, AIDS Action made recommendations for an end to waiting lists and a strengthening of the CARE Act’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and sent our recommendations to the President.” He adds, “We have rolled up our sleeves. We are ready to work with the Administration and we will work with Congress to make certain that no one in need of HIV medications will go without them.”

AIDS Action strives to end the HIV epidemic by advancing public policies that prevent new infections, provide care for people living with HIV, and support the search for a cure. AIDS Action serves as the national voice for people living with HIV and represents AIDS service organizations, health departments, and a diverse network of community-based organizations across the country.