Senators Enzi, Coburn, Burr, and Isakson Mark World AIDS Day with Call to Action

Press Release

Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, joined with Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) to send a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius with a call to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS both at home and overseas.

The letter, sent in advance of World AIDS Day, reflects on progress that has been made against HIV/AIDS over the past three decades, particularly the most recent findings of the National Institutes of Health funded study that treatment can prevent transmission of HIV. The senators noted that the overwhelmingly positive results from this study lend even greater weight to the innovative focus on treatment of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the critical importance of the treatment focus of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program.

The senators applauded the strong statement made by Secretary Clinton in announcing the Administration's goal of an AIDS-free generation. "We look forward to updated PEPFAR treatment goals and additional information on how the Administration plans to fulfill its commitment to an AIDS-free generation," wrote the senators. "We also look forward to working with you to find a solution to eliminate the ADAP [AIDS Drug Assistance Program] waiting lists here in the United States."

Observed yearly on December 1, World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness with respect to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.