Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bay Windows - National News, July 29, 1999
Scott A. Giordano, Bay Windows staff
Gore's announcement came at a recent press conference in which Gore was joined by African Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Sandra Thurman, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy; congressional members; and leaders of the African-American, religious, children's and AIDS communities.
The Democratic vice president, who is seeking the presidency in 2000, announced that the Administration is seeking a record-breaking increase in the amount of U.S. money for the global fight against HIV/AIDS in Fiscal Year 2000.
"AIDS in Africa is the worst infectious disease catastrophe in the history of modern medicine," Gore said. "More than 20 million people are now infected and nearly 500 more become infected each hour. We hope this initiative will not only provide much-needed relief but will inspire decisive action by other countries and institutions ù and bring hope to the millions of children and families trapped in this horror."
The money would be broken down as follows:
A new $28-million initiative will be used to contain the AIDS epidemic by implementing a range of prevention and stigma reduction methods through education, voluntary testing, blood supply screening, and interventions to reduce mother-child transmission. In addition, the Department of Defense (DoD) will begin new efforts to educate and train African militaries on HIV/AIDS issues.
$23 million would be used to provide home and community-based care that will deliver counseling, support and basic medical care through community-based clinics and home-based care workers and enhanced training and technical assistance efforts.
$10 million would go to care for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
A $19-million initiative would be used to strengthen prevention and treatment by augmenting planning, infrastructure disease surveillance and capacity development.
In addition, Gore unveiled a series of new initiatives designed to engage others to address the global HIV/AIDS crisis. Those initiatives include a multi-lateral Partners Meeting to enhance worldwide coordination, which will be led by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton; a United Nations Conference on Children orphaned by AIDS; and new partnerships with private sector leaders from the religious, business and labor communities.
"[Gore's $100-million initiative] is the largest [proposed] increase we have ever had in spending money for this fight against AIDS globally," Thurman said. "It's a very comprehensive package, and we are very excited about it."
The initiative will become part of the FY 2000 budget discussions that will begin this fall. Thurman is optimistic Congress will agree to Gore's recommendations.
"It will be hard. It always is, but I think we stand a very good chance," she said.
"There is substantial and very strong and deeply felt support in Congress for this," added Richard Socarides, the president's gay and lesbian liaison. t
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