PHR Action Center

Send Your Comments to the Department of Health and Human Services today.

Right now, we have the chance to end the US HIV travel ban. Submit your comments to HHS today, and show our government that health and human rights activists will not stand for this human rights violation by the US government.

PHR has prepared a sample comment below. Feel free to submit this in its entirety, modify it, or write your own. Check out our talking points for more ideas.

When the agency reviews those comments, your voice will be added to those calling for the complete repeal of the HIV travel and immigration ban.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a [physician, nurse, health care professional, medical student, human rights advocate], I write in support of the Department of Health and Human Services' proposal to revise the Part 34 regulation by removing HIV from the definition of "communicable diseases of public health significance" and removing references to HIV from the scope of the medical examinations outlined in the regulation.

HIV is not a communicable disease that is a significant threat for introduction, transmission and spread to the US population through casual contact. Thus, there is no public health justification for inclusion of HIV in the regulation.

Indeed, the existing regulation has significant negative public health consequences. Under the current policy, those entering the US with HIV medications can be questioned or denied entry. As a result, people living with HIV may suspend their treatment while traveling to the US, leading to the possibility of drug resistant strains of HIV and increasing the likelihood of treatment failure. In addition, the regulation causes many immigrants to avoid getting tested for HIV or seeking treatment for fear of deportation and stigma.

HIV entry and travel restrictions also violate the human rights to privacy, freedom of movement and freedom from discrimination of people living with HIV, and greatly increase HIV-related stigma.

In light of the significant public health and human rights implications of the current Part 34 regulation, I urge the Department to act swiftly to publish a final rule implementing the proposed revisions. People living with AIDS deserve this human rights protection.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 28, 2009