President Obama plans to increase support for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in his proposed budget for 2009 but has yet to reveal just how much funding will be allocated to AIDS-related programs, Voice of America News reports.

Pamela Barnes, head of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, anticipates that the proposed new budget means more funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

“I think we are optimistic. You know the PEPFAR reauthorization last year came through with very strong bipartisan support, including President Obama and Vice President [Joe] Biden. And I think this budget proposal at least indicates a commitment to increase foreign aid and foreign assistance,” Barnes said. “And what we know about the HIV/AIDS programs supported by the U.S. government is that they’ve been successful.”