Ernst: U.S. will continue to take a leading role in the fight against HIV/AIDS

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Senate recently passed legislation cosponsored by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) that would reauthorize the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for another five years. Established in 2003, PEPFAR is the U.S. government’s global effort to combat HIV/AIDS and the largest global health program devoted to a single disease.

“For over a decade, PEPFAR has provided access to lifesaving treatment to those suffering from HIV/AIDS.  This legislation will ensure that for years to come, the U.S. will continue to take a leading role in the fight against this horrendous epidemic.  I urge President Trump to swiftly sign this legislation into law,” said Senator Ernst.

Background:

The PEPFAR Extension Act of 2018 continues authorization and oversight of PEPFAR through Fiscal Years (FY) 2023 and 2024 to ensure prevention and treatment services remain available to those in need.

Specifically, the bill extends provisions through FY23 that:

• Require more than half of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for bilateral HIV be expended for treatment, care, nutrition and food support for people living with HIV;
• Require no less than 10 percent of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for bilateral HIV be expended for programs targeting orphans and other children affected by, of vulnerable to, HIV;
• Limit U.S. contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria (Global Fund) to 33 percent of funds contributed from all sources;
• Authorize that any of the U.S. contributions to the Global Fund that were withheld due to the 1/3 cap may be used for bilateral HIV, TB and malaria programs; and,
• Require the Inspectors General of the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to coordinate and conduct oversight of PEPFAR programs.