Landmark HIV/AIDS Legislation Passes Senate

Washington, DC - May 16, 2003

Population Action International (PAI) commends the Senate for passing landmark HIV/AIDS legislation early Friday morning, but expresses disappointment that the bill overemphasizes abstinence to the neglect of comprehensive approaches proven effective in HIV prevention.

"We applaud the Senate's commitment to passing this important legislation, but regret that the bill focuses on abstinence-until-marriage programs instead of balanced approaches proven effective in preventing the spread of AIDS," said Lisa Moreno, Senior Legislative Policy Analyst at Population Action International. "With 14,000 people becoming newly infected each day, this bill simply falls short of arming those most vulnerable with every possible resource to protect themselves from HIV."

While the AIDS bill authorizes up to $15 billion in U.S. assistance for vital HIV/AIDS care, treatment, and prevention over five years, it also contains amendments that undermine proven successful prevention methods and overemphasize abstinence approaches. An amendment offered by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to repeal an earmark inserted in the House bill by Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA), requiring one-third of HIV/AIDS prevention funds to promote "abstinence-until-marriage" failed, by a vote of 45 to 52.

"We know from the Ugandan model that a multifaceted ‘ABC’ strategy — Abstinence, Be faithful, use Condoms — can successfully prevent HIV/AIDS," continued Ms. Moreno. "A lopsided emphasis on abstinence is irresponsible. The bill's focus on the ‘A’ to the exclusion of the ‘B' and 'C’ invests millions of dollars in programs that we know don’t work well alone. Prevention efforts could be undermined simply because Senators were under tremendous pressure to rubber-stamp the House-passed bill."

The abstinence-only approach to HIV prevention generally denies the reality of AIDS in Africa, where women are disproportionately impacted by the spread of HIV. Gender inequities frequently leave them powerless to ‘just say no’ to sex, and unable to know whether their partners are being truly monogamous.

This bill authorizes $15 billion for life-saving HIV/AIDS programs, but the appropriations process later this year will ultimately determine how much will be available. At the moment, there is not enough money in the 2004 foreign aid budget to actually fund this AIDS bill. President Bush’s request includes only $1.7 billion for HIV/AIDS, which is barely half that authorized by this bill.

"It’s the billion dollar question of the summer," said Ms. Moreno. "Where will this money come from? We hope the President will work with Congress to ensure that more money is made available to fund this initiative without impairing other domestic and foreign assistance programs. "

Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.