Statement by Kathleen G. Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, on the Repeal of the HIV Entry Ban

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Today, we will publish a rule in the Federal Register announcing that the United
States will drop HIV from the list of diseases barring visitors from entering
this country, effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Though the United States has been a leader worldwide when it comes to ending the
stigma of HIV/AIDS, we`ve been one of only 12 countries who, by their policies,
still enable the myth that HIV/AIDS is a threat. Lifting the HIV "entry ban"
represents the same blow against stigma that Ryan White himself fought for from
the time he was 13 years old and contracted HIV/AIDS.

It`s appropriate that the nation is taking the final step to lift the entry ban
as President Obama signs the fourth reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act.
The ability to travel freely and have access to affordable health care should be
available to everyone. This change has been a long time coming, and I am pleased
it is happening now.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

HHS Press Office
202-690-6343

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