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National News
National News Briefs
Across the Nation
House Passes $555B Spending Bill, Sends to President Bush
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49506
Senate Passes $555B Omnibus Spending Bill
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49484
"Lawmakers, Gay Rights Groups Protesting New HIV/AIDS
Travel Rule"
Associated Press, (12.11.2007) Erica Werner
As part of World AIDS Day observances, the Bush administration announced new
rules, proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to allow
short-term visas for HIV-positive people to travel to the United States. Gay
rights advocates have long opposed a 1993 federal law strictly restricting
travel and immigration to the United States by HIV-positive people, who may
obtain visas only after receiving a waiver from DHS in a cumbersome process.
CDC Summary
Huckabee Says He Is Willing To Meet With Family of Ryan White
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49351
HIV/AIDS Advocates Call on Huckabee To Meet With Mother of Ryan White
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49324
House Democrats Send Letter to Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff Objecting to
New Rules for HIV-Positive People Visiting U.S.
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49325
Huckabee Says He Will Not 'Recant' 1992 Comments on HIV/AIDS
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49296
Homeland Security Department Provides Inadequate Care, Treatment to HIV-Positive
People at Immigration Detention Centers, Report Says
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49297
Housing Works Criticizes Giuliani's Work on HIV/AIDS Issues While New York City
Mayor
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49266
"Survey Finds Americans More Concerned About AIDS than
Climate"
Associated Press, (11.30.2007)
An IPSOS telephone survey of 1,002 US residents in September found more were
concerned with the global AIDS pandemic than with climate change. However, 30
percent said they knew little to nothing about it. In the poll, conducted for
the Christian charity World Vision, Americans rated the Iraq War, poverty and
hunger, and the global economy all above AIDS. However, half said they would be
willing to pay more in taxes to help fight AIDS globally, about the same
proportion said they have no personal connection to AIDS.
"No AIDS Estimate Available Yet: CDC"
Reuters, (12.03.2007) Maggie Fox
Some AIDS advocates and newspaper reports are saying new federal estimates show
there are 55,000 new HIV infections each year in the United States, nearly 50
percent higher than CDC's longstanding estimate of 40,000 new infections
annually. On Sunday, however, CDC officials said the new data on infections were
incomplete. The new estimates, they said, are based on refined methodologies and
are still being analyzed. CDC Summary
Richardson Releases HIV/AIDS Plan
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49191
UNITED STATES:
"Bush Seeks More Funds for AIDS Fight"
Washington Post, (12.01.2007) Michael Abramowitz
On Friday, President Bush marked World AIDS Day by emphasizing the role of
churches in fighting the epidemic. The president visited two churches in
Mount Airy, Md., to learn of their front-line efforts to prevent and treat what
continues to be one of the world's most devastating diseases.
CDC Summary
Number of Annual New HIV Cases in U.S. Might Be Higher Than Previously Thought
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49158
Clinton at Conference Reiterates Commitment To Invest $50B To Fight Global
HIV/AIDS
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49134
See November Archives
Across the Nation
NEW MEXICO:
"HIV Remains High Among Hispanics"
Albuquerque Journal, (12.05.2007) Oliver Uyttebrouck
While HIV/AIDS prevalence in New Mexico remains relatively low, a new state
Department of Health report finds that Hispanics have accounted for a growing
proportion of new cases over the last five years.
In 2005, the rate of new HIV/AIDS cases per 100,000 population was 9.7 for
Hispanics, 27.7 for blacks, 5.8 for non-Hispanic whites, and 6 for Native
Americans. The HIV epidemic is growing faster among Hispanic men in New Mexico
than among any other population group in the state, said Dr. Trevor Hawkins, a
Santa Fe HIV/AIDS specialist.
Foreign-born immigrants account for 16 percent of Hispanic HIV/AIDS cases, the
department reported in October. The state has documented 222 HIV cases among
foreign-born Hispanics, of whom 87 percent were born in Mexico.
Hawkins offered two possible reasons why this population is seeing an increase
in new infections:
*Anti-gay sentiment in the community. "There's still some stigma about being
gay, so many [Hispanics] are less likely to be out. Clandestine sex is riskier,"
Hawkins said.
*Methamphetamine use. The illegal stimulant can crush inhibitions and lead to
"wildly unsafe sex," he said.
[Washington DC] Should 'Remain Vigilant' as Senate Votes on Bill That
Would Remove Ban on Funding for Needle-Exchange Programs, Letter Says
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49189
New York Gov. Spitzer Considers Imposing Mandatory Managed Care
Enrollment Among HIV-Positive Medicaid Beneficiaries
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49159
Washington, D.C., Delegate Norton Calls for City Funding of
Needle-Exchange Programs To Reduce Spread of HIV
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49135
Summaries
"Lawmakers, Gay Rights Groups
Protesting New HIV/AIDS Travel Rule"
Associated Press, (12.11.2007) Erica Werner
As part of World AIDS Day observances, the Bush administration announced new
rules, proposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to allow
short-term visas for HIV-positive people to travel to the United States. Gay
rights advocates have long opposed a 1993 federal law strictly restricting
travel and immigration to the United States by HIV-positive people, who may
obtain visas only after receiving a waiver from DHS in a cumbersome process.
The new rules would allow 30-day stays for business or pleasure, with short-term
visas granted by US consulates in the travelers' home countries. However,
applicants must agree not to apply for a longer stay or permanent US residency.
In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, more than two dozen
Democratic House members objected to the changes, saying they did not ease the
burden on HIV-positive people and shifted decision-making authority to "local
consular officers who may lack the appropriate medical expertise."
The letter, released Monday by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), objects to the lack
of an appeal process and the requirement that applicants waive the right to
change their status once in the United States.
DHS spokesperson Veronica Valdes said the proposed regulations provide a
streamlined process for HIV-positive people to visit the United States. She said
the department would review the criticism in the letter and respond.
The comment period on the new rule ended on Dec. 6, but Valdes could not say
when a final rule would be published.
Gay rights activists note that due to the US restrictions on travel for HIV
patients, the biennial International AIDS Conference has not been held here for
more than a decade.
"No AIDS Estimate Available Yet: CDC"
Reuters, (12.03.2007) Maggie Fox
Some AIDS advocates and newspaper reports are saying new federal estimates show
there are 55,000 new HIV infections each year in the United States, nearly 50
percent higher than CDC's longstanding estimate of 40,000 new infections
annually. On Sunday, however, CDC officials said the new data on infections were
incomplete. The new estimates, they said, are based on refined methodologies and
are still being analyzed.
"CDC emphasizes that the new estimates are not yet final," said Dr. Kevin
Fenton, CDC's leading AIDS official.
"In recent years, CDC has worked to develop an innovative system designed to
estimate the number of new HIV infections in a given year," Fenton said. "As a
result of new technology that can distinguish recent from longstanding
infections, the new system will provide the clearest picture to date of new HIV
infections in the United States. The estimates have been submitted for further
analysis and rigorous scientific review to ensure the accuracy of the complex
new methods and of the estimates themselves."
The Washington Post, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal all said they have
sources who confirmed the higher estimate. In the light of widespread
speculation, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has asked CDC to release the
figures.
"We hope that this is not yet another instance of the Bush administration's
suppression of information that could be damaging to their image, especially in
light of the fact that the spike in new infections is, at least in part, likely
due to failed policies of the administration, including the promotion of
abstinence-only prevention messages and the failure to promote condom use," said
Michael Weinstein, AHF's president.
UNITED STATES:
"Bush Seeks More Funds for AIDS Fight"
Washington Post, (12.01.2007) Michael Abramowitz
On Friday, President Bush marked World AIDS Day by emphasizing the role of
churches in fighting the epidemic. The president visited two churches in
Mount Airy, Md., to learn of their front-line efforts to prevent and treat what
continues to be one of the world's most devastating diseases.
At McLean Bible Church, member Chris Dominick told Bush of his plans to head to
Zambia on a church mission to work with children with AIDS. Rebecca Mink, a
Christian missionary, related how she and her husband founded a home in Namibia
for 55 AIDS orphans.
A Zambian woman said she is both a beneficiary and a care provider under the
President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) - a $15 billion, five-year
global program. "I've seen the Lazarus effect. I have seen hopes being raised. I
have seen people coming back to life. And my message is, 'We are celebrating
life to the fullest,'" Bridget Chisenga of Catholic Relief Services told Bush.
Bush then met with AIDS service providers at Calvary United Methodist Church.
After that meeting, the president called on Congress to once again double PEPFAR
spending in the next five years to $30 billion. He also announced that he will
travel to Africa early next year to view first-hand the program's progress.
"It is in our moral interest," Bush said of PEPFAR. "It lifts our spirits and
souls to help neighbors in need, whether it's a neighbor across the street or a
neighbor in the global community."
Asked Friday whether the United States is doing enough to fight HIV/AIDS at
home, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said: "We are putting resources
and money towards it… There is a need here in America, but there is also a need
in other countries, including Africa, Latin America, and Asia."
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