Equality NC Responds to U.S. Commitment to AIDS-free Generation
Copyright © Carolyn Kaster/AP
Washington, D.C. - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton this week said the U.S. will not back down from its commitment to ensuring that children are no longer born with HIV, that the risk of becoming infected is curbed and that those already infected will have access to treatment. "I am here today to make it absolutely clear: The United States is committed and will remain committed to achieving an AIDS-free generation," Clinton told attendees at the International AIDS Conference being held in Washington, D.C. Clinton also announced $150 million in new funding to help fight the disease around the world.
Clinton said, “I’ve heard a few voices from people raising questions about America’s commitment to an AIDS-free generation, wondering whether we are really serious about achieving it. Well, I am here today to make it absolutely clear: The United States is committed and will remain committed to achieving an AIDS-free generation. We will not back off, we will not back down, we will fight for the resources necessary to achieve this historic milestone.”
Clinton spoke about new U.S. funding totaling $150 million to support programs to fight the AIDS virus, including protections for pregnant women domestically and at-risk populations abroad. As part of this initiative, the Obama administration just released an additional $3 million to North Carolina to serve people living with HIV who have been on the waitlist for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (or ADAP).
Equality NC's executive director Stuart Campbell responded to the news, "We applaud Secretary Clinton and this administration's willingness to broadly raise the profile of HIV/AIDS activism, including efforts to reach people who are at the highest risk of infection. As our state moves forward with our own work to eradicate HIV/AIDS in North Carolina, we are heartened that the Obama administration has recommitted to the goal of achieving an AIDS-free generation as well as funding the fight here at home."