[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 184 (Tuesday, December 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2486]]
                          WORLD AIDS DAY 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2007

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, on December 1, 2007, we commemorated World 
AIDS Day, and reflected both on the lives lost so far and on our 
continued moral obligation to ensure we provide necessary treatment and 
research to assist those living with HIV/AIDS.
  As a senior member of the Health Subcommittee of the House Energy and 
Commerce Committee, I have fought hard for increased federal dollars 
for New York to treat more than 111,000 New Yorkers living with HIV/
AIDS today. New York remains the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in our 
nation with nearly 18 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases in the United 
States.
  Last year, during the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, 
which addresses the unmet primary care and health support needs of low 
income people living with HIV/AIDS, I led the charge to stave off the 
Administration's proposal to dramatically shift needed funding away 
from New York. This year, we were able to achieve record increases in 
funding nationwide for the Ryan White CARE Act in the Labor-Health and 
Human Service appropriations bill. Sadly, President Bush vetoed this 
critical legislation on November 13, 2007.
  I have also introduced the bi-partisan Early Treatment for HIV Act 
with Speaker Pelosi and Representative Ros-Lehtinen, which reforms 
rules in the Medicaid program which mandates that people be disabled by 
AIDS before receiving treatment. This rule is inconsistent with 
national health guidelines for those with HIV, which recommends early 
and aggressive treatment for those with HIV to keep their illnesses 
from progressing to AIDS. My bill will allow states to treat low-income 
individuals with HIV under the Medicaid program. HIV no longer has to 
be a death sentence with the new medical treatments available today.
  Globally, we must also continue to be mindful of the 33 million 
individuals currently living with HIV/AIDS. Over 5,700 people die each 
day from AIDS related illnesses and the United States must provide 
adequate resources to help stop the global scourge of AIDS. As you may 
know, Tuberculosis is the leading infectious killer among adults with 
HIV/AIDS, as it preys upon these individuals with weakened immune 
systems. I am pleased to report that my bill, H.R. 1567, the Stop 
Tuberculosis Now Act recently passed the House of Representatives 
overwhelmingly and is currently awaiting action by the U.S. Senate. 
Worldwide, tuberculosis kills 1.6 million adults and 1.4 million 
children each year. My bill will go a long way towards providing 
resources to those with both HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.
  I am proud that the AIDS Institute has decided to honor me with their 
``HIV/AIDS Care & Treatment Award for 2007''. I am grateful for the 
award but am equally aware that World AIDS Day must prompt us to 
examine what progress we have made and reevaluate what additional steps 
should be taken to combat this deadly epidemic.
  Madam Speaker, working together we can address both prevention and 
early treatment options, and hopefully one day find a cure for AIDS.

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