A notice from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) shows the Obama administration is seeking to lift a rule that forbids those infected with HIV from entering the country.
If the HIV travel ban is lifted, the virus that causes AIDS will be removed from the list of "a communicable disease of public health significance" that disqualifies foreigners from passing customs.
In the late 1980s, Republican Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina was a proponent of the ban, leading the effort to get it codified into law. Since then, it's been of particular concern to the gay advocacy groups who recognize the policy disproportionately affects gays and lesbians. These groups have urged lawmakers to repeal the ban, gaining support from some such high-profile Democrats such as Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
Government agencies, however, can repeal the rule without any action from Congress, although it would be a lengthy process. Although OMB posted its notice last week, lifting the ban would take at least several months as the Department of Health and Human Services goes through a required public review and comment process.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/03/hot-button-79208530/?page=2