HIV Travel Ban Set to be Lifted
The Obama administration is moving forward with a rule change that would end the current regulation preventing HIV-positive individuals from entering the U.S. The proposed change, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within HHS, appeared in today’s Federal Register. The posting is a request for public comment, due by August 17, 2009. CDC will then review the comments and make any appropriate modifications, issuing a final rule later in the year.
In the CDC/HHS post, the agency notes, “While HIV infection is a serious health condition, it does not represent a communicable disease that is a significant threat for introduction, transmission, and spread to the U.S. population through casual contact.”
This issue was in the news most recently with the high profile denial of a visa to British activist Paul Thorn who was seeking to participate in the Pacific Health Summit in Seattle. Thorn was denied entrance to the U.S., despite efforts by Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Jim McDermott on his behalf.
The proposed CDC/HHS change would amend the definition of “communicable disease of public health significance” and would remove references to HIV from the scope of medical examinations that aliens must undergo before they obtain admission to the U.S.
ONE will be tracking this development closely, and will let you know what happens.
-Rena Pacheco-Theard
- Previous Post Petition Drop in Florida!
- Next Post Dear G8,
Blog Contributors
Hot Topics
-
Fight the Famine, Feed the Future
ONE is campaigning to ensure that the Congressional budget does not cut foreign assistance programs like Feed the Future that help people break the cycle of poverty and hunger. -
Crisis in the Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years. More than 11 million people, mostly nomadic pastoralists and farmers in south-central Somalia, north-eastern Kenya, and south-eastern Ethiopia, are severely lacking access to food. -
The Beginning of the End of AIDS
2011 marks 30 years since the first cases of AIDS were documented. Take a closer look at the specific, achievable goals we must hit by 2015 to make this year the beginning of the end of AIDS. -
Agriculture Accountability
As aid agencies warn more than 9 million people could be affected by a food crisis in East Africa, world leaders are failing to keep their 2009 promises to tackle the causes of chronic hunger and support farmers in the world's poorest countries.
From Our Members
-
Our question on faith and development, answered by the White House
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Field -
Remembering ONE member Laurence Carolin on Airplane Day
Feb 8th, 2012 | Posted by Field -
Rep. Dicks is not the Norm… he’s a champion
Feb 3rd, 2012 | Posted by Field
From Our Partners
-
US aid for water, sanitation and hygiene should benefit the poor
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Guest Blogger -
Six Valentine’s Day gifts
Feb 9th, 2012 | Posted by Paulena Papagiannis -
Remembering ONE member Laurence Carolin on Airplane Day
Feb 8th, 2012 | Posted by Field
July 3, 2009 at 11:43 am
Refusing entry to the US for tourists with HIV is idiotic. It is a policy that must be overturned.
July 3, 2009 at 5:17 pm
The U.S. government has been “in the process” of overturning this archaic stipulation for the last year. I hope they do it sooner than later.
AS ONE, debbie
July 7, 2009 at 9:31 am
I strongly feel that President Obama is in the right direction, and has the right attitude toward the HIV pandemic, however, i feel that the issue of HIV Positive Tourists traveling to the US, is a Fairly good idea but in the event that there complications will there be any measures fully set up to medically assist these paitients/ tourists?
July 13, 2009 at 5:24 am
I guess that ‘measures’ to assist ‘these patients/tourists’ would be the same as anyone else with an illness – it’s called insurance! Not that i suppose anyone who was requireing medical help would want to travel.
I see myself niether a patient nor needing any medical assistance other than a lack of stress and the ability to travel with my meds (duh!)
As someone who cannot legally travel to the U.S to visit close family since being diagnosed in 1983 i am aware of the implications inherent by authors of ill informed comments such as the one published above by ms mukwembi.
March 9, 2011 at 6:24 am
Great post. I found what I wanted. I recommend you to visit Dolphin Cruise Transfers blog, and share ideas. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!