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Obama Lifts HIV+ Travel Ban

President extends bill funding care for low-income HIV/AIDS patients

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 30, 2009 1:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – HIV-positive individuals will no longer be banned from visiting or immigrating to the US, President Obama announced today. The president discussed the revocation of the ban, which has stood since 1987, at today's signing of an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS bill. That bill provides funding for HIV/AIDS testing and treatment for low-income individuals.

"We often speak about AIDS as if it's going on somewhere else," the president said. “But often overlooked is the fact that we face a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic of our own—right here in Washington, DC, and right here in the United States of America." The president applauded George W. Bush and the 2008 Congress for beginning the process of overturning the ban last year, CBS News reports. “We are finishing the job," he said.

President Barack Obama signs the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington.
President Barack Obama signs the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White holds the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009, after it was signed by President Barack Obama, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009.
Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White holds the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009, after it was signed by President Barack Obama, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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We talk about reducing the stigma of this disease—yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat.
- President Barack Obama

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 33 comments
Snarfeh
Nov 2, 2009 3:19 AM CST
And that is why I was discussing it. I still think the issue that so many fear is so small as to be almost not there. We *already* spread the disease from our own ignorance of safe sex and drug use. I stand by my statement that any increase will be so small as to be all but insignificant. The saucy language I use is irrelevant other than for a feeble attempt on someone else's part to draw attention to something other than my point and to somehow humble me. I humble myself when necessary and it ain't necessary in this case. It is needless fear. I welcome them to my country, the land of the almost free and once upon a time, of the brave.
Riffran
Nov 1, 2009 12:25 PM CST
treating is not the problem paying is
Snarfeh
Nov 1, 2009 9:11 AM CST
The degree by which it spreads and how much it will increase is an nth, if that. Our country drowns in ignorance on this matter and those who fear this have only themselves to fear. Be smart regarding sex, educate your children on safe sex instead of hiding your head in the sand and your chances of being a victim of an accident or error will be the only possibilities by which you can get HIV. That risk already exists with or without allowing entry into this country of people who already have it. That some tired employee somewhere will make a mistake causing you to contract it has nothing to do with this and can happen regardless. Some of you act as if billions of HIV infected people are suddenly going to rush to the U.S. Who the fuck would rush over here with our standard of living? Who the fuck would rush over from a country that already provides health care to its citizens? You fear mongers are far more likely to be the death of us all.
Politics • Health • Money • US

 
Bush administration • Travel • HIV • HIV/AIDS • US Congress • George W. Bush • Obama administration • HIV travel ban • President Obama • Ryan White

 
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