Sequestration Cuts Could Threaten Global HIV/AIDS Gains

March 1, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact:  Racine Tucker-Hamilton, 202-448-8456, rtuckerhamilton@pedaids.org
Jane Coaston, 202-280-1648, jcoaston@pedaids.org

Lack of a deal raises questions about America’s commitment to an AIDS-free generation
March 1, 2013, Washington, D.C. – The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) is disappointed Pres. Obama and Congress failed to reach a deal to halt across-the-board funding cuts. Global HIV/AIDS programs could be slashed by approximately 5.3 percent.

“Any cut in funding compromises our ability to reach people in need of services, especially at a time when we are making significant progress in eliminating pediatric AIDS,” said EGPAF President and CEO Charles Lyons. “A cut of this size is a major step backwards and makes us question how the world will achieve the president’s goal of an AIDS-free generation.”

The short term impact to EGPAF-specific programs may not be immediate but long term effects could be far-reaching and considerable. According to a Congressional Appropriations document the cuts could halt HIV/AIDS treatment for nearly 172,000 people and PMTCT (prevention of mother-to-child-transmission) services for 67,200 HIV-positive women, leading to more than 12,000 infants likely being born with HIV.

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About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation:
EGPAF is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV/AIDS, and has reached more than 15 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. It currently works at more than 5,400 sites and in 15 countries to implement prevention, care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute global advocacy activities that bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide. For more information, visit www.pedaids.org.