| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
November 2, 2009
|
Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone, GMHC, 212-367-1016
President Obama Re-Commits to People Living with HIV by Signing Critical Healthcare Legislation
Indicates Administration's Efforts to Repeal Discriminatory HIV Entry Ban
New York, NY — Gay Men's Health Crisis applauds President Obama and the U.S. Congress for reauthorizing the Ryan White HIV Treatment Act. We are also heartened by the imminent publishing of a final rule in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will lead to the full repeal of the discriminatory and stigmatizing U.S. HIV travel and immigration ban.
Many HIV positive New Yorkers, including those who access GMHC's services, rely on Ryan White funded-programs such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), to provide lifesaving medications. By signing the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Act, President Obama ensures that the system of HIV/AIDS care, treatment, testing, counseling, and other support services that lead to enhanced outcomes will continue to be available to the thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS in New York and around the country.
The HIV entry ban, enacted in 1987, undermines public health in the U.S. by discouraging people from coming forward to get tested or access treatment. It is also based on the false premise that foreigners bringing HIV into the U.S. are a major cause of HIV infection. In fact, studies show that most immigrants who become HIV-positive contract HIV after they enter the U.S. GMHC also opposes this policy because it reinforces HIV stigma and violates human rights. The policy also prevents the U.S. from being eligible to host large international conferences and trainings which would boost the country's economy.
The soon-to-be-published final rule will finally lift the 22- year- old entry ban when implemented. It removes HIV from a list of "communicable diseases of public health significance" and ends the mandatory testing of people seeking to enter the country.
"... On Monday my administration will publish a final rule that eliminates the travel ban effective just after the New Year. Congress and President Bush began this process last year, and they ought to be commended for it. We are finishing the job. It's a step that will encourage people to get tested and get treatment, it's a step that will keep families together, and it's a step that will save lives," announced President Obama at a press conference this morning.
"GMHC strongly supports this rule change that is rooted in sound public health policy and a better recognition of the epidemic." said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "The signing of this bill will ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS are provided with much needed treatment and care. GMHC remains firmly committed to a national safety net that ensures comprehensive, accessible, quality HIV/AIDS care in every city, state and region."
In July 2008, a law preventing HIV-positive people from entering the U.S. was repealed by Congress and President Bush. But for the entry ban to be fully repealed the regulatory change that HHS will publish must also be made. This is the final step in repeal of the US travel and immigration ban that will make HIV positive people eligible for immigration.
GMHC has led the fight to repeal the U.S. HIV entry bar since the regulation's inception in 1987. GMHC and members of the Coalition to Lift the Bar hosted public fora on the entry bar at the United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York City and at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City.
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
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