HIV/AIDS
“AIDS is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. It is literally killing millions of people and crippling economies. The impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans in the United States is extremely alarming. While the number of new diagnoses for virtually every segment of the population is declining, it is rapidly increasing for African Americans. Many developing nations are also being ravaged by HIV/AIDS. According to the United Nations Joint Commission on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), over 33 million people are living with AIDS worldwide, and estimates indicate that 25 million have already died. We have a moral responsibility to use every tool at our disposal to address this global pandemic"
- Congresswoman Barbara Lee
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As a Founding Co-Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, Congresswoman Lee is dedicated to creating and supporting legislation that:
- Increases domestic spending for HIV/AIDS prevention, education, care, and treatment for all.
- Addresses the growing rate of infection within minority communities by increasing funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative. Supports the implementation of an effective National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States.
- Maintains a strong commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria and U.S. bilateral efforts through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Provides support to build and sustain indigenous health workforce capacity and strengthen health systems in developing countries.
- Reduces the cost of life-extending and saving AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria drugs, as well as medicines for other infectious diseases, and allows for their generic production and importation in developing countries.
- Works to eliminate new HIV infections in children by 2015.
- Ties increased debt relief and debt cancellation to increased spending on HIV/AIDS and the health sector.
- Provides care and treatment for orphans and vulnerable children.
- Addresses the immediate needs of women and girls to reduce their vulnerability to HIV infection.
- Increases investment in AIDS research, including HIV vaccine development and programs that would ensure global vaccine access.
- Supports the needs of vulnerable populations at highest risk of HIV infection.
- Promotes sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, treatment, and care for young people around the world.
Sponsored Legislation (112th Congress)
- H.R.1085:Repealing Ineffective and Incomplete Abstinence-Only Program Funding Act of 2011 – Repeals the requirement for proven-ineffective abstinence only sex education as a condition of federal funding. (Introduced 3/15/2011)
- H.R.1880: Requires, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the first reported cases of AIDS, reporting on the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and on the status of international progress towards achieving universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment. (Introduced 5/12/2011)
- H.R.2704:JUSTICE Act - To reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections in correctional facilities through the use of contraceptives and education.
- H.R. 3053: The REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act - To eliminate discrimination in the law for those who have tested positive for HIV.
- H.RES.51: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. (Introduced 1/24/2011)
- H.RES.204:Supporting the goals and ideals of "National STD Awareness Month. (Introduced 4/5/2011)
- H.RES.334:Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day. (Introduced 6/24/2011)
Co-Sponsored Legislation (112th Congress)
- H.R.1462: National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2011 - Authorizes grants to public health agencies and faith-based organizations to conduct HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, and related outreach activities to reduce HIV/AIDS in the African-American community. (Introduced 4/8/2011)
- H.R.1774: Increasing Access to Voluntary Screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs Act of 2011 - Requires a state plan to provide coverage of routine screening services for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections with no cost sharing for such screening services.(Introduced 5/5/2011)
- H.RES.171:Supporting the goals and ideals of National Minority Health Awareness Month to bring attention to the severe health disparities faced by minority populations. (Introduced 3/15/2011)
- H.RES.265:Supporting the goals and ideals of National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. (Introduced 5/11/2011)
- H.RES.360:Expressing support for the sixth IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention and the sense of the House of Representatives that continued commitment by the United States to HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and treatment programs is crucial to protecting global health. (Introduced 7/20/2011)
- H.RES.362: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day. (Introduced 7/21/2011)
For more information contact the Office of Congresswoman Barbara Lee at 202-225-2661 or send a message from my email gateway at lee.house.gov