US set to spend $50bn against HIV

BBC ^ | 03 Apr 2008 | BBC

[BGHater]

Tens of thousands of children have been orphaned by the HIV pandemic The US is set to spend $50bn to battle HIV/Aids in the next five years. The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to more than triple government spending in Africa and other badly-affected parts of the world. The bipartisan measure, which is backed by the White House, was passed by 308 votes to 116. The bill marks a huge increase from the $15bn authorised during the first five years of an initiative launched by President Bush in 2003. "There is a moral imperative to combat this epidemic," said Nancy Pelosi, the House's Democratic speaker. The initiative would be the largest US investment ever against a single disease. HIV/Aids around the world Last May, Mr Bush asked Congress to set aside $30bn for the plan, aimed at providing treatment for 2.5 million people and preventing more than 12 million new infections. Too expensive? The programme currently supports life-saving treatment for nearly 1.5m people, the White House said. Initially focused on Vietnam, Guyana, Haiti and 12 African nations, the programme will be expanded to include Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho as well as some Caribbean nations. Opponents of the bill argued that it was too expensive, and that more pressing needs closer to home needed to be addressed. The UN estimates that two-thirds of the 33m people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - the virus that causes Aids - live in sub-Saharan Africa.

[BGHater]

I guess the $30Bil for Africa was not enough.

[kc8ukw]

Overheard at church:

Pastor: Who can you count on to always help?

Churchgoer: The government. We’ve allowed them to usurp our charity!

...

What is the proper role of government?

[cherry]

I am sorry to be so negative but we are facing tough times in the good ol USA ....why are we sending money to other countries for a disease that is preventable with simple human discretion?

[goldstategop]

Republicans are afraid of the Democrats playing the Race Card TM against them so they go along with more HIV spending for the Third World.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Gritty]

This is a huge waste of money.

AIDS is a behavioral problem, not a monetary one. We can't throw enough money at it to fix it.

[Desron13]

This is absolute madness! Does anyone here think that this money will go anywhere besides the pockets of the thugs and criminals running most of the countries in Africa? We may as well just transfer the funds to their Swiss bank accounts and have done with it.

[elkfersupper]

why are we sending money to other countries for a disease that is preventable with simple human discretion?

Some diseases are more politically acceptable than others, to paraphrase George Orwell.

[vaudine]

Too true! Does anyone know if there are any statistics to show the billions we have already spent did 1 tiny drop of good?

The people of SubSaharan Africa are pitiful, but I can only wonder how much of the aid money has found its way into the pockets of war lords and the Swiss bank accounts of vicious despots ruling the various countries.

We cannot do anything worthwhile as long as uncaring dictators rule these countries and keep the people ignorant and destitute. Soldiers/local terrorists raping are the main reason for the spread of HIV. Another feel good experiment with our tax dollars.

vaudine

[Centurion2000]

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill to more than triple government spending in Africa and other badly-affected parts of the world.

I think even Andrew Hamilton would be turning over in his grave now and he was the uber-federalist.

[Jeff Chandler]

Republicans are afraid of the Democrats playing the Race Card TM against them

Which is futile. Republicans could throw money from helicopters flying over Watts, and blacks would still vote Democrat.

[timm22]

I think it's great to try to help end disease in other parts of the world. But that doesn't make it the role of the U.S. government.

I don't know why we should be forced to pay for ending AIDS in Africa. If the President asked me to kick in a few bucks, I'd gladly do it. So why force me (and other Americans) to contribute though taxes?

[endthematrix]

Pubbie or Rat?

This “aid for AIDS” is bipartisanship...dictated from the globalists the UN. They just have to come the US for the cash!

[endthematrix]

Globaloney:

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is the main advocate for global action — leading, supporting and strengthening the expanded overall response. The increased resources provided and the leadership engendered by the largest AIDS donor, the United States, through President Bush’s $15 billion Emergency Plan, have been instrumental in building global momentum.

UNAIDS spearheaded a historic global agreement on three key principles aim to ensure that as each country tackles AIDS, we all work with — one national strategy, one national coordinating body, and one monitoring and evaluation system

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UNAIDS welcomes United States Senate Committee action to renew global AIDS programme

Washington DC 13 March 2008—
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

commends the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approval of the “Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008.” The United States leadership role in the global response to AIDS is critical and today’s action demonstrates the U.S. commitment to this effort.

Both the Senate and House bills now contain key principles for reauthorization including promoting a truly global effort supported by bold new investments; moving from an
“emergency” to a “sustainability” strategy; and maximizing effectiveness of investments through partnership and coordination.

Continued investments are crucial as we witness real progress from current and past investments. New HIV infections can be prevented if the world remains committed to scaling up essential HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support efforts globally.

Yet, we are still faced with the serious fact that more than 32 million people are infected with HIV worldwide. The global commitment to AIDS has never been more important and UNAIDS hopes that the U.S. Congress continues to work in a bipartisan manner on this important legislation.

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2008 Presidential Race and the Future of Global Health

U.S. global health activity has increased significantly under the current administration. Recent movement on PEPFAR Reauthorization and the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) reflect the importance and successes of investment in this area. As the 2008 Presidential election unfolds, there is an opportunity to continue leadership in global health by the next President. Current Presidential candidates Senators JOHN MCCAIN , R-AZ, Barak Obama, D-IL, and Hilary Clinton, D-NY have pledged to make substantial commitments to global health:

Reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis: Sens. Clinton and Obama pledge to expand funding to $50 billion by 2013 and 2012, respectively, to ensure universal access to treatment, prevention, and care. Sen. JOHN MCCAIN supports the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief Program (PEPFAR).

Eradicate malaria: Sen. Clinton will commit $1 billion annually to achieve universal access to treatment and preventative measures, while Sen. Obama will expand access to mosquito nets and ACTs. Sen. JOHN MCCAIN considers this one of his presidential goals.

Improve child and maternal health: Sens. Clinton and Obama plan to improve this area through investments in nutrition, vaccinations and access to reproductive health programs. Sen. JOHN MCCAIN supports expanding access to preventative health care, particularly in prenatal and child care.

Food and clean water: Sen. Clinton seeks to meet the Millennium Development Goal by reducing the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 50 percent. Sen. Obama pledges to increase funding up to $1.3 billion per year for innovative programs, and expansion of access to clean water and sanitation. Sen. JOHN MCCAIN supports investment in public-private partnerships to deliver clean water to 10 million Africans by 2010.

[RedWhitetAndBlue]

We’re active in a myriad of countries in a myriad of ways. In that context, $50 billion over 5 years = $10 billion per year isn’t that much money. I don’t see what the fuss is about. Look at President Bush’s National Security Strategy - it’s three-pronged: defense, diplomacy, development. This serves those second two prongs.

The program reports its results to Congress every year. A lot of folks assume it’s all going down a rat hole. How many I wonder have bothered to consult any data.

[endthematrix]

"$10 billion per year isn’t that much money. I don’t see what the fuss is about."

From your homepage: "I've lived in Washington, DC for several years and work as a policy analyst. My focus is global health"

So global health has become my responsibility now, because, some globalist bureaucrats at the UN declared it so? Do I play John Lennon now?

[RedWhitetAndBlue]

“So global health has become my responsibility now, because, some globalist bureaucrats at the UN declared it so? Do I play John Lennon now?”

Did you read the sentence that followed the one you quoted? Doesn’t sound like it.

The answer to your question is no, because that’s not how this works. Read up some.

[Steve Van Doorn]

wouldn't it be better for these countries to develop better governments so they can make the own money and develop on their own. You know the old saying about giving someone a fish....

In other words we are putting money down a rat hole. As soon as the money stops the condition will be the same as we started.

[endthematrix]

"that’s not how this works"

It's someone else's Federal Reserve Notes?

Or that UN isn't facilitating in transferring my earned income to other nations?

[dalereed]

More than just a total waste of money.

Aids in those countries will cure their hunger problem.

The next appropriation will be for food aid.