Ron Wyden: “December 1, was World AIDS Day, and I wanted to take this time to both acknowledge the good work that is done around…”

“December 1, was World AIDS Day, and I wanted to take this time to both acknowledge the good work that is done around world to prevent and treat this disease and to acknowledge the need is still great around the world and in our own country to fund prevention, treatment, and support. AIDS kills 3 million people each year, and 13,500 people are newly infected each day. AIDS has already left 15 million orphans in its wake. The theme of World AIDS Day 2005 was ``Keeping the Promise.'' To date, the United States has led the world in contributions to the Global Fund, providing one-third of all contributions. However, the statistics tell us that while we have come far, we still have far to go in preventing this tragic disease, including here at home. We have experienced many medical miracles in the form of drugs that help people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS live healthier longer. Yet, we seem to be able to fund less and less of the services that help individuals stay healthy and maintain the structure of their lives. I was recently visited by constituents who were either HIV positive or had full-blown AIDS. They told many moving stories about how their lives had been made better by programs that help them get health services, pay for their drugs, rent and provide other support services. Many of these programs are through the Ryan White Act. The unmet need grows daily.…”