The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved legislation that would remove a ban that restricts the travel and immigration rights of HIV-positive people, The Washington Blade newspaper reports (washblade.com, 3/13).
According to the Blade, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators added language repealing the ban to a current bill that would reauthorize the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Human rights groups, public health advocates and AIDS activists have called for the repeal of the ban, saying it was created before much was known about HIV and how it is transmitted.
“The United States has enforced this antiquated policy for too long with no pubic health rationale for discriminating against HIV-positive people in such a severe manner,” said Victoria Neilson, director of the New York-based group Immigration Equality.
The Human Rights Campaign advocacy group has called on the full Senate to approve the PEPFAR bill containing the repeal legislation.
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comments 1 - 3 (of 3 total)
Luis, NYC, 2008-04-27 11:43:42
Any updates of such an important law change?
camelot, TORONTO, 2008-03-18 13:03:30
At a time when the U.S. Government wants to foster a favourable foreign policy impression around the world, this would be a move in the right direction.
Geoff, Atlanta, 2008-03-15 10:35:54
It's about damned time! I ahve Canadian friends who have lost U.S. business due to this medieval, draconian law.
"I'm HIV positive and diabetic (as well as have high cholesterol) and some of my meds specify taking them with 'high fat foods' which I have to do twice a day. I've eaten as healthy as possible, but when it comes to high fat foods, I am in a quandary...about what to eat sometimes..."
