[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE GLOBAL PEDIATRIC HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT OF 2008

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                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2008

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor today to introduce 
the Global Pediatric HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment Act. I am 
pleased to be joined by Congresswoman Kay Granger. This legislation 
will strengthen our commitment to preventing the new transmission of 
HIV infections in children. The legislation builds on the successful 
PEPFAR programs aimed at reducing mother to child transmission of HIV 
and AIDS.
  The legislation provides a comprehensive, five year strategy to 
prevent new HIV infections in children and ensure that the treatment of 
children infected with HIV keeps pace with their infection rate. We can 
achieve the birth of an HIV-free generation.
  Reducing mother to child transmission and providing treatment to HIV 
positive children was one of the goals of the original PEPFAR 
legislation. The PMTCT or the Prevention of Mother to Child 
Transmission services were a critically important prevention effort 
included in the PEPFAR legislation. As we begin the process to 
reauthorize these programs we must use this opportunity to strengthen 
the original goals and mission of PEPFAR.
  Every day more than 1,000 children around the world are infected with 
HIV; approximately 90 percent of those infections occur in Africa. With 
no medical intervention, HIV positive mothers have a 25 percent to 30 
percent chance of passing the virus on to their babies during pregnancy 
and childbirth. Yet just one dose of an ARV drug given to the mother at 
the onset of labor and once to the baby during the first three hours of 
life reduces transmission of HIV by almost 50 percent. We know what 
works and we now how to reduce HIV babies. We just need to provide the 
commitment and resources to achieving this goal.
  Children account for almost 16 percent of all new HIV infections but 
represent only 9 percent of those receiving treatment under PEPFAR. 
Without proper care and treatment, half of all newly infected children 
will die before their 2nd birthday and 75 percent will not see their 
5th birthday.
  The bill establishes a target requiring that by 2013 15 percent of 
those receiving treatment under PEPFAR be children. This target simply 
keeps pace with the rate of infection.
  In addition, it establishes a 5 year target for Preventing Mother to 
Child Transmission efforts. By 2013, 80 percent of pregnant women 
receive HIV counseling and testing, with all of HIV positive mothers 
receiving ARV medication.
  The legislation also requires integration of prevention, care and 
treatment with PMTCT services in order to improve outcomes for HIV 
affected women and families and to improve the continuity of care.
  Prevention is our greatest tool in fighting this pandemic. We have no 
vaccine or cure. But we can work to achieve an HIV free generation.
  I want to thank the work of the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation who have 
worked to further the cause of preventing mother to child transmission. 
The Foundation is also a leader in the global effort to provide care 
and treatment to millions of HIV positive children. The Foundation's 
recommendations for strengthening PEPFAR are the basis for this 
legislation. I also want to thank Senators Dodd and Smith who have 
introduced the Senate version of this legislation. Finally, I want to 
thank Congresswoman Granger for her willingness to work with me on this 
legislation and for her continued commitment to addressing the global 
pediatric HIV/AIDS crisis.
  I know that my colleagues on the Foreign Relations Committee are 
working to develop a strong PEPFAR reauthorization and I look forward 
to working with them to ensure that the final bill includes strong 
PMTCT provisions.

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