<http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/10987.html>:
----- Begin Quote -----
President Bush’s program to fight HIV/AIDS is considered by
Republicans and Democrats alike to be one of the unvarnished foreign
policy successes of his presidency.
So why has broad bipartisan legislation seeking to more than triple
the program’s funding to $50 billion caused such a rancorous fight?
Ask Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D.
The Oklahoma Republican, along with six other social conservatives,
has put a hold on the bill in the Senate, unless a provision is added
to direct most of the spending toward treatment for HIV/AIDS rather
than toward prevention and other priorities. Otherwise, Coburn said,
“the vast majority of the money is going to get consumed by those
wanting to help people with HIV, rather than [by] people with HIV.”
Coburn argues that treatment of HIV/AIDS-affected individuals usually
drops their viral load to the point where they will not infect other
people, and thus, it’s “the No. 1 prevention protocol we have.”
But many other Republicans and Democrats, as well as outside public
health experts and AIDS charities, dispute Coburn’s math. With the
program, called the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, set to
expire in September, they are very concerned.
President Bush’s program to fight HIV/AIDS is considered by
Republicans and Democrats alike to be one of the unvarnished foreign
policy successes of his presidency.
So why has broad bipartisan legislation seeking to more than triple
the program’s funding to $50 billion caused such a rancorous fight?
Ask Sen. Tom Coburn, M.D.
The Oklahoma Republican, along with six other social conservatives,
has put a hold on the bill in the Senate, unless a provision is added
to direct most of the spending toward treatment for HIV/AIDS rather
than toward prevention and other priorities. Otherwise, Coburn said,
“the vast majority of the money is going to get consumed by those
wanting to help people with HIV, rather than [by] people with HIV.”
Coburn argues that treatment of HIV/AIDS-affected individuals usually
drops their viral load to the point where they will not infect other
people, and thus, it’s “the No. 1 prevention protocol we have.”
----- End Quote -----
Presumably the good senator would rather see the money go into the
pockets of the US pharmaceutical industry.
He does, sort of, have a point, though. We now know that gays don't
want to hear the prevention message and heterosexuals don't need to
listen to it. But, let's face it, the bulk of this money won't reach
HIVers: it'll be creamed off by the huge number of HIV hangers-on.
I particularly like this part of the article:
----- Begin Quote -----
But many other Republicans and Democrats, as well as outside public
health experts and AIDS charities, dispute Coburn’s math. With the
program, called the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, set to
expire in September, they are very concerned.
----- End Quote -----
Does ANYONE now trust the mathematical expertise of HIV health
experts?
----- Begin Quote -----
Many faith-based organizations are also urging quick passage of the
legislation. Last month, the National Association of Evangelicals, the
United Methodist Church and the American Baptist Churches USA were
among 63 groups urging Senate leaders to allow a vote on the bill.
----- End Quote -----
I'm guessing that means their prayers haven't been answered.
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<http://www.hiv-poz.co.uk/>
4,898 days and counting...
