Governor Dean Announces HIV/AIDS Policy

[pruner]

BURLINGTON-- Governor Dean, marked tomorrow's World AIDS Day, by announcing that he would honor the country's national and international commitments to combat the pandemic of HIV/AIDS. He today released policy proposals aimed at combating AIDS both here in the U.S. and across the globe.

"This is a crisis of pandemic proportions and we must give it the attention it deserves. HIV and AIDS are both a public health and a national security issue. They have the potential to create vast economic and political destabilization in many parts of the developing world. It is time to move beyond the rhetoric offered by President Bush and to focus on real results both across the globe and here at home," Governor Dean said.

Here in the U.S., more than 800,000 men, women, and children have been diagnosed with AIDS and nearly a million more are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Each year, more than 40,000 Americans become infected with HIV, an average of one person every 13 minutes.

Today, AIDS is also the leading cause of death in many parts of the world. As their parents die, millions of AIDS orphans--as many as 40 million by the end of this decade--will be left without the care and support they need.

Last year alone, 3 million people worldwide died because of AIDS. Another 40 million people are now living with HIV or AIDS, and they will succumb to this disease unless they have access to life-saving treatment. The pace of new infections is accelerating dramatically, with 5 million more people becoming infected each year.

Governor Dean also criticized President Bush for undercutting his State of the Union promise to strongly boost funding to combat AIDS as well as his administration's nearly 40 percent cut to the U.S. commitment to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. In both cases, Congress ended up raising the appropriations against the administration's wishes.

"President Bush has not only failed to live up to his promises to fight AIDS around the world, he has also failed to ensure access to life-saving and life-prolonging medicines for Americans with HIV and AIDS," Governor Dean said.

Dean promised that he would address AIDS both domestically and internationally. Domestically, he promised to:

• Provide quality health care for every American. By covering those lacking health insurance we can prevent, and provide critical early treatment for, serious illnesses such as HIV and AIDS.

• Increase funding for care and treatment. A Dean Administration will promote prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of HIV. This is especially important for racial and ethnic minorities who are disproportionately affected by this pandemic and who often are diagnosed late or enter treatment later than recommended.

• Promote sensible and comprehensive prevention efforts. As a physician, Dean has seen the power of prevention in saving lives. There is strong, compelling evidence that HIV prevention initiatives, including condoms, needle exchange programs, accessible testing and progressive education on safe behaviors, can reduce the transmission of HIV. A strong emphasis must be placed on prevention approaches focused on women, communities of color, adolescents, and young gay men.

• Support research and development of treatment without political interference.

On the international front, Dean promised to:

• Restore our role as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

• Renew the fight against Global AIDS, by providing $30 billion in the fight against AIDS by 2008 to help the Global Fund meet its resource requirements and to fund US bilateral global HIV/AIDS programs, as well as offer debt relief to nations fighting the AIDS pandemic to allow for much needed health investments.

• Improve the vital healthcare infrastructure of the world's developing countries.

• Assist orphans and children cast adrift by the AIDS pandemic.

"As a physician, I understand disease, the need for medical and public health investments, and the role that untreated disease can play in devastating individuals, families, communities, and whole societies. I know the critical importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. As President, I will not stand silent while this disease continues to claim victims," Governor Dean said.

On November 17, 2003, Governor Dean signed the Presidential Pledge To Action on Global AIDS, sponsored by the Global AIDS Alliance.

http://blog.deanforamerica.com/archives/002463.html#more

[gristy]

1. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=93728

[pruner]

2. it's not a dupe

DU rules allow the same thread to be posted in GD and P&C since some people only read one forum or the other.

[Zomby Woof]

3. this is one area he gets it right

Perhaps due to his doctor's background. It's pretty sound and comprehensive. As for funding and implementation, we'll cross that bridge in due time I guess.