Enzi: the Face of AIDS is Changing

Enzi: the Face of AIDS is Changing

Federal resources for HIV and AIDS should go to where the epidemic is today and will be tomorrow, not where it was a decade ago, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo.

"The face of AIDS today is not the face of AIDS yesterday. The disease affects more women, minorities and individuals in rural areas than ever before," said Enzi.

Last week Enzi was on hand at the White House for World AIDS Day. As Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Enzi plans to continue vigorous work with Senator Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and others to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act which is instrumental for domestic HIV and AIDS programs. President George W. Bush urged Congress to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act during his speech at the White House Thursday. Enzi applauded President Bush's work on fighting AIDS around the globe.

"I have seen first hand the devastation that AIDS can cause both here in the United States and abroad. While we have made significant progress there is still much more to do," said Enzi. "Our federal response must not only be effective and accountable, but must meet the current and anticipated needs of people living with HIV and AIDS."

Enzi is enthusiastic and optimistic about programs to help those with HIV and AIDS and looks forward to helping improve the lives of those in need.

"No longer is an HIV diagnosis an immediate death sentence. Every day we come closer to having HIV and AIDS become a chronic disease rather than the killer we have always known it to be," Enzi said.

http://enzi.senate.gov/aids.htm