*EPF103 08/21/00
Text: U.S. Senator Frist Praises New AIDS Law
(Law provides $300 million for AIDS, disease programs) (750)

A Republican Senator from Tennessee offers President Clinton bipartisan support for signing the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000. The president signed the bill into law August 19, and Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee hailed the action in a August 21 news release.

"This legislation offers a multifaceted approach that incorporates medical advances, expanded health care, incentives for pharmaceutical research and education initiatives that teach the true facts about AIDS and how it is transmitted," Frist said.

The new law authorizes $300 million in the upcoming year for HIV/AIDS programs worldwide. The AIDS Relief Act further earmarks other funds to be devoted to the search for a vaccine.

In recognition of the resurgence of tuberculosis as a serious disease threat, the law will also provide $60 million to combat that communicative disease.

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SEN. BILL FRIST, M.D.
UNITED STATES SENATOR, TENNESSEE

August 21, 2000

FRIST APPLAUDS GLOBAL AIDS BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
This Legislation Confirms Our Commitment to Addressing the African AIDS Crisis

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Bill Frist (R-TN), chairman of the African Affairs Subcommittee, praised the President for signing into law late Saturday Frist's "Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000." The bill will strengthen the international community's response to the AIDS crisis in Africa and commit resources to prevent the spread of AIDS.

"With an estimated 13.7 million Africans having lost their lives to AIDS and 10 million children orphaned because of the infectious disease, we mustn't turn a blind eye on this part of the world," said Frist. "This legislation offers a multifaceted approach that incorporates medical advances expanded health care, incentives for pharmaceutical research, and education initiatives that teach the true facts about AIDS and how it is transmitted. It also takes a serious look at ways to prevent the spread of the disease and begin managing this devastating epidemic, I'm pleased that President recognizes the importance of this legislation, which will provide the first real step to addressing the AIDS crisis in Africa."

The "Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000," authorizes $300 million in FY 2001 and 2002 for ongoing HIV/AIDS programs worldwide. It also authorizes $100 million to the Global Alliance for Vaccines Initiative to continue providing existing vaccines to children worldwide and to provide incentives for the development of new vaccines. To address the development of an AIDS vaccine in particular, the bill provides $20 million to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Furthermore, a trust fund will be established for programs to combat the transmission of HIV and to respond to the AIDS crisis. Under the legislation, the United States can contribute up to $150 million per year for two years to capitalize the fund. Of that, $50 million annually is targeted to address the proliferation of orphans in the region. Finally, recognizing that tuberculosis is estimated to infect nearly a third of the world's population, the bill authorizes $60 million in FY 2001 and 2002 for programs to combat the disease.

According to reports from the United Nations, 23.3 million adults and children are infected with the HIV virus in Africa, representing nearly 70 percent of the worldwide total of infected people. In some African countries, 20 to 26 percent of adults are infected. In fact, AIDS has surpassed malaria as the leading cause of death in Africa. Possibly the greatest tragedy from this epidemic is the over 10 million African children who have lost their parents. The number of orphans in Africa is expected to grow to 40 million.

Over the July 4th Senate recess week, Frist traveled with a medical missionary group where he visited several villages and mission hospitals -- at times performing surgery. During this recent visit, he was able to see first-hand the devastation which has been caused by the AIDS epidemic. He witnessed the deprivation of skilled workers and teachers, reduced life expectancies in many countries and health systems ill-equipped to handle prevention, diagnosis and treatment efforts.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously on Wednesday, July 26, and the House two days later. Senator Frist is chairman of the African Affairs Subcommittee and has traveled to Africa as part of a medical mission in January 1998 and July 2000. He is a heart and lung transplant surgeon.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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