President George W. Bush today signed legislation that reauthorizes the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other global health funding. In response, Bill and Melinda Gates, co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, made the following statement:
We congratulate President Bush and leaders in Congress for their achievement in getting PEPFAR reauthorized at an unprecedented level of $48 billion. This bill renews and strengthens America’s commitment to the global fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. It is a worthy tribute to Henry Hyde and Tom Lantos, two legislators who distinguished themselves by their efforts to address global health and poverty issues.
PEPFAR represents the single biggest international health investment of any government program ever. By dramatically expanding HIV prevention and treatment programs, PEPFAR is already saving millions of lives.
We’ve been fortunate enough to travel to Africa and see PEPFAR in action. It does great work, and Americans should be proud of what PEPFAR is doing for people living with HIV/AIDS.
U.S. investments in global health programs deliver impressive results. Through the generosity of the American people and the legislation enacted today, millions more people will have the chance to live healthy and productive lives.
The act signed today will allow continued and expanded U.S. support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. The Global Fund has achieved great success in a short time, and has proven to be a wise investment of U.S. resources.
We’re encouraged by the act’s strong emphasis on preventing new HIV infections, which is absolutely critical. Today, effective prevention programs reach only about one in five people at high risk.
We’re pleased that the act lifts the restriction on travel and immigration to the U.S. by HIV-positive non-citizens. This is a long-overdue step that recognizes the dignity of all people living with HIV/AIDS, and aligns U.S. policy with good public health practice.