    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [February 27, 1997]
    [Pages 221-222]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Domestic Reduction in Deaths From AIDS
    February 27, 1997

        I was greatly encouraged by today's report from the Centers for
    Disease Control and Prevention on the historic reduction in the number
    of Americans dying of AIDS, further evidence that this terrible epidemic
    is beginning to yield to our sustained national public health investment
    in AIDS research, prevention, and care.
        In these last 4 years, we have steadily increased our national
    commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS. We have increased funding for the
    programs by more than 50 percent, developed the first-ever national AIDS
    strategy, accelerated approval of successful new AIDS drugs by the Food
    and Drug Administration, strengthened and focused the Office of AIDS
    Research at the National Institutes of Health, and created a White House
    Office of National AIDS Policy.
        We have made good progress, but it is also clear that the AIDS
    epidemic is not over. We must continue to press ahead if we are to meet
    our ultimate goal--the end to this epidemic, a cure for those who are
    living with HIV, and a vaccine to protect everyone from this virus.
        That is why I am so pleased that the Department of Health and Human
    Services is today releasing another $202 million in funds under the Ryan
    White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act to provide high-quality
    treatment to people living in 49 U.S. cities. Funds for the CARE act
    have increased 158 percent over the last 4 years and the number of
    cities receiving this assistance has grown from 26 to 49. While we will
    continue to care for those who are already sick, we must also sustain
    our commitment to prevention. The only way that we can assure that a
    person will not die of AIDS is to make sure they don't become infected
    with HIV in the first place.
        Today's report is very good news, but we must not relax our efforts.
    In the months and years ahead, we must continue to work together as a
    nation to further our progress against this deadly epidemic, and while
    we do so, we must remember that every person who is living with HIV or
    AIDS is someone's son or daughter, brother or sister, parent or
    grandparent. They deserve our respect and they need our love.

    [[Page 222]]