Global AIDS Epidemic Requires Bipartisan Solutions, USA

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 06 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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On Thursday February 7 the US Congress will take the first step in determining US policy on global HIV/AIDS for the next five years.

The US has committed to the international goal of universal access to all HIV/AIDS services by 2010 and to halting and reversing the AIDS epidemic by 2015. Congress will have a major impact on whether these promises will be kept.

"HIV/AIDS should not be a partisan issue, and we need legislators from both parties to reach these crucial goals," said Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. "It would be tragic if a fully-funded, science-based approach to this epidemic were derailed in favor of a smaller-scale approach that is not firmly grounded in scientific evidence."

Legislators will face many complex issues, including the funding required for success. President Bush's proposal for "doubling" spending has caused some confusion, since the President's FY 2009 budget released today would keep global AIDS spending, and many programs grouped with AIDS, right where it is.

Today Bush has also proposed $500 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, which would be a 40% reduction in the US contribution. At the G8 Summit last year Bush committed the US to supporting a three-fold expansion of the Fund by 2010.

When the House Foreign Affairs Committee considers the AIDS bill later this week, Members will consider a greatly expanded bill compared to what they passed in 2003. Committee Chair Tom Lantos' bill covers a number of programs essential for success on AIDS, such as care for orphaned children, nutrition programs, malaria and TB programs, and improving training and retention of health care personnel.

The bill also has expanded protections for women's health and rights, which are critically important since 61% of people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa are women.

"This epidemic is not growing in isolation," noted Dr. Zeitz. "Rather, it is part of a complex crisis of poverty, lack of respect for human rights, and weak health care systems; that's why the strategy for the next five years must take all of this into account. Doing all of this right will require bipartisan support for the required funding. That is why a broad coalition is calling on Congress to authorize $59 billion for AIDS, TB, malaria, care and support for orphaned and vulnerable children, and strengthening of weak health care systems."

The AIDS program is already having a positive impact far beyond AIDS itself. Last week, a report from the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator stated that in 2007 alone the US invested $640 million in network development, human resources and local organization capacity development through PEPFAR. A recent study by Family Health International showed that U.S. HIV funding had improved broader health services in Rwanda, which President Bush will visit in two week's time.

Global Aids Alliance