Obama Lifts Global Funding Ban, Unties Hands Of HIV/AIDS Groups, Says AHF

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 26 Jan 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today lauded President Barack Obama for lifting a ban on federal funds for international groups that perform abortions or provide information or counseling on the option. According to the Associated Press, "The policy bans U.S. taxpayer money, usually in the form of U.S. Agency for International Development funds, from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion. It is also known as the 'global gag rule,' because it prohibits taxpayer funding for groups that lobby to legalize abortion or promote it as a family planning method."

"Ending the ban on federal funding of international aid groups will also further enable the global community to use every weapon available to combat the devastating worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic," said Michael Weinstein, President of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "Some of the groups affected by this funding ban also provide lifesaving antiretroviral AIDS medications to people in need in Africa and elsewhere. The ban essentially prevented such groups from helping to save the lives of some of the 33 million people estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. As an international aid group providing HIV/AIDS medical care in 22 countries, AIDS Healthcare Foundation praises President Obama for untying the hands of so many worthy groups that are desperately needed in this life or death fight against HIV and AIDS."

About AHF

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation's largest non-profit HIV/AIDS organization. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more than 95,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation