Global AIDS Bill To Be Considered By House
April 4th, 2008 by 
Barry - Admin BioPharmArena
The House Rules Committee on Tuesday by voice vote allowed a bill (HR 5501) that would reauthorize the U.S. global HIV/AIDS program to be considered by the full House, CQ Today reports. According to CQ Today, compromises reached on the bill in the House Foreign Affairs Committee appear to be “alive and well” after the Rules Committee rejected floor consideration of several amendments (Graham-Silverman, CQ Today, 4/1).
The bill would authorize $50 billion for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief over the next five years. The measure reflects a compromise reached between House leaders from both parties and the White House. Although it removes a provision included in PEPFAR’s original mandate that would have required one-third of HIV prevention funding to be spent on abstinence-only education, the bill includes new language requiring “balanced funding” for prevention programs that ensure that abstinence and faithfulness teachings “are implemented and funded in a meaningful way.” Under the measure, countries that spend less than 50% of funding for the prevention of the sexual transmission of HIV on abstinence and fidelity programs will be required to explain the decision to Congress.
Posted in Global and Public Health | 