John Kerry's stance on HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest pandemics threatening the stability of entire regions and countries around the world. With an estimate of 40 million people worldwide being infected and an estimate of 5 million infected just last year, efficient HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs are necessary in order to combat the disease that is rampantly threatening the lives of millions across the world today.

John Kerry:

Description of candidate's position: Kerry feels that the HIV/AIDS crisis is one of the greatest public health and humanitarian crisis facing our world today. In 2002 Kerry along with Senator Bill Frist, introduced the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act, which would increase the U.S. funding to combat HIV/AIDS internationally. Their efforts led the unanimous passage and enactment by President Bush of the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act of 2003, that authorizes $15 billion over five years to combat HIV/AIDS domestically and internationally. Kerry website. Kerry feels that increased funding for the Ryan White CARE Act would be necessary in order to adequately provide treatment, vaccines, and education. Kerry website. "As president, Kerry would provide at least $30 billion in the fight against AIDS by 2008". Kerry website.

Quotation from the candidate: "AIDS is the greatest public health and humanitarian crisis of our time, as well as a fundamental security issue. Unfortunately, the Bush Administration has failed to live up to the commitment it made more than a year ago to combat this pandemic, including failing to provide the necessary resources to the Global Fund; creating obstacles to getting low-cost drugs on the ground quickly; and pushing ideology over science &endash; which has kept millions of people from accessing proven AIDS prevention methods". May 18, 2004 from the Kerry website.

Assessment of the proposal:

Positive: The Human Rights Campaign, America's largest gay and lesbian organization, President Cheryl Jacques made the following statement after hearing remarks by Cheney in regards to the HIV/AIDS crisis. "Cheney was just one of 13 House members to vote against the precursor to the Ryan White CARE Act in 1988 &emdash; the AIDS Federal Policy Act," noted Jacques. "Unlike the Bush Administration, Senator Kerry and Senator Edwards are focused on solving our HIV/AIDS crisis. Both co-sponsor the Early Treatment for HIV Act and support full funding for science-based HIV-prevention programs and the Ryan White CARE Act. The Kerry-Edwards commitment is strong and clear." Human Rights Campaign website.

Negative: The Log Cabin Republicans, and organization that that stands for gay and lesbian civil rights, "applaud President Bush for his commitment of an additional $20 million for HIV positive men and women awaiting life-saving drugs. Log Cabin has met with the administration on the need for increased attention and funding to combat domestic HIV/AIDS, and is encouraged by the President's actions. 'This is a good first step in a renewed focus on domestic HIV/AIDS issues,' said Patrick Guerriero, Executive Director of the Log Cabin Republicans. 'Congress and the White House must make sure they give high priority to AIDS both at home and around the world'". June 24, 2004 link

Comparison: Both Kerry and Bush feel that HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest public health pandemics facing our world today and the enactment of the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act of 2003 was a great step towards combating the disease, Kerry feels that increased funding is necessary in order to adequately address and fight the disease on domestic and international levels, especially since Bush has only released a portion of the funding promised to date. Kerry also feels that increased fund and reauthorization for the Ryan White CARE Act is necessary in order to provide adequate treatment and prevention programs to those infected with the disease on a domestic level.

Link to Bush's issue brief.