February 01, 2006
"The ongoing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria pandemics represent the greatest humanitarian challenge in the world today. In the interests of social stability, economic productivity, nationally security, and most importantly, a sense of compassion for others, we have a moral duty to act to prevent the spread of these diseases and treat those who are infected,” said Lee. “$7.54 represents the United States fair share to addressing three pandemics and is really just a drop in the bucket compared to the $6 billion a month we are spending to fight the war in Iraq.”
Lee’s letter urges the President to designate $6 billion of the $7.54 billion requested for global HIV/AIDS, $570 million for tuberculosis, $970 for malaria, and at least $1.2 billion towards the Global Fund, a call that was endorsed by over 50 civil society organizations, including the Global Health Council and Global AIDS Alliance.
Global experts have found that more than $24 billion is needed in 2007 to provide prevention, care, and treatment for the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria pandemics. In addition, several programs in developing countries established for these diseases are experiencing shortages of health care workers. The letter also urges the President to work with Congress to develop new initiatives to train and retain healthcare workers – thereby enhancing the success of global health programs.
“Last year alone, over 6 million deaths were attributed to these three diseases – the United States cannot wait any longer to expand foreign assistance efforts against these deadly epidemics,” said Lee. “The US must continue to lead the global fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria and show the global community that the battle against these diseases is, indeed, a national priority.”
Lee co-authored the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which established the framework for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. To date, the Global Fund has committed $4.4 billion in 128 countries to support aggressive interventions against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Lee was also a leader in the bipartisan effort to designate $15 billion for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and she successfully passed legislation in 2005 to focus U.S. foreign assistance on the impact of AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries.
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Barbara Lee Calls on Bush to Increase Global AIDS Funding
(Washington, DC) – As the Bush administration prepares to submit its fiscal year 2007 budget to Congress, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), joined by 73 co-signers, sent a letter to the President calling on him to substantially increase funds for U.S. foreign assistance programs to address global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria."The ongoing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria pandemics represent the greatest humanitarian challenge in the world today. In the interests of social stability, economic productivity, nationally security, and most importantly, a sense of compassion for others, we have a moral duty to act to prevent the spread of these diseases and treat those who are infected,” said Lee. “$7.54 represents the United States fair share to addressing three pandemics and is really just a drop in the bucket compared to the $6 billion a month we are spending to fight the war in Iraq.”
Lee’s letter urges the President to designate $6 billion of the $7.54 billion requested for global HIV/AIDS, $570 million for tuberculosis, $970 for malaria, and at least $1.2 billion towards the Global Fund, a call that was endorsed by over 50 civil society organizations, including the Global Health Council and Global AIDS Alliance.
Global experts have found that more than $24 billion is needed in 2007 to provide prevention, care, and treatment for the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria pandemics. In addition, several programs in developing countries established for these diseases are experiencing shortages of health care workers. The letter also urges the President to work with Congress to develop new initiatives to train and retain healthcare workers – thereby enhancing the success of global health programs.
“Last year alone, over 6 million deaths were attributed to these three diseases – the United States cannot wait any longer to expand foreign assistance efforts against these deadly epidemics,” said Lee. “The US must continue to lead the global fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria and show the global community that the battle against these diseases is, indeed, a national priority.”
Lee co-authored the Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act of 2000, which established the framework for the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. To date, the Global Fund has committed $4.4 billion in 128 countries to support aggressive interventions against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Lee was also a leader in the bipartisan effort to designate $15 billion for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and she successfully passed legislation in 2005 to focus U.S. foreign assistance on the impact of AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries.