Bring Life Saving Global AIDS Legislation to a Vote Now
The greatly improved and expanded version of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is stalled in the Senate’s legislative process. The bill authorizes $50 billion in funding and largely focuses on evidence- and human rights-based treatment, prevention and care programs. It must be passed as quickly as possible.
The Senate might not consider PEPFAR reauthorization at all this year. With 15,000 new infections every day in sub-Saharan Africa, over 60% of them among women and young girls, we can’t afford any delays in renewing US commitment to fighting AIDS.
Please contact your Senators today and ask them to support the swift passage of this lifesaving bill.
PHR will also convey your support to the Senate leaders, Senators Reed (D-NV) and McConnell (R-KY).
GO here to send the email: http://actnow-phr.org/campaign/support_pepfar
From the WASHINGTON POST:
Moral Scales in the Senate
Wednesday, May 14, 2008; Page A19
How much do seven members of the U.S. Senate weigh?
Eyeing them – Tom Coburn, Jim DeMint, Jeff Sessions, Saxby Chambliss, David Vitter, Jim Bunning, Richard Burr – I’d guess they probably come in at about 1,300 pounds. These are the Republicans who have signed a hold letter, preventing action on the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Now, how much do 3 million HIV-AIDS-infected people — the treatment goal of a reauthorized PEPFAR — weigh? This is a more difficult calculation. Adults with advanced forms of the disease can weigh about 60 pounds. Children with AIDS are like shadows falling on a scale. Maintaining weight becomes difficult with vomiting and diarrhea, with tuberculosis and fungal infections, with cancers such as Kaposi’s sarcoma and lymphoma.
Even so, you’d think that a few million of these wasting bodies would weigh more on the moral balance than seven senators. But so far, you’d be wrong.
FOr more go to….http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/13/AR2008051302305.html
