Proposal Would Lift U.S. Ban On Visitors With HIV/AIDS

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR), are proposing a bill that would fight HIV/AIDS in other countries and at the same time lift a two-decade-long ban on visitors to the U.S. with HIV. Other countries that have the same ban include Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Russia.

Kerry, the co-author of the bill, pointed out that China has amended its policy and challenged the U.S. to "move beyond an antiquated, knee-jerk reaction" to persons with HIV.

"There's no excuse for a law that stigmatizes a particular disease," Kerry said as he stressed foreigners infected with avian flu and the Ebola virus find it easier to secure a U.S. visa compared to HIV-positive people.

Aside from opening the doors of the country to foreigners, the bill provides a $50 billion allocation over the next 5 years to battle AIDS and other ailments besetting Africa and other poor nations.

The Human Rights Watch, in December 2007, wrote Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, seeking to lift the ban on HIV-infected people.

Human Rights Watch HIV/AIDS program director Joseph Amon explained, "This law is contrary to international human rights protections against discrimination and serves no justifiable public health purpose." Amon cited a UN guideline, which stated, "There is no public health rationale for restricting liberty of movement or choice of residence on the grounds of HIV status."