GAA urges Obama to continue support for global health programs

The Global AIDS Alliance (GAA) calls on the Obama Administration to fully fund its development priorities and to continue U.S. Leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS as an integral part of President Obama's Global Health Initiative.  GAA submitted questions to the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs in preparation for Secretary of State Clinton's testimony on Capitol Hill.  Secretary Clinton's testimony is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday, respectfully.  

"The Obama Administration has identified 'Development' as a pillar of its 3-D national security policy (Development, Diplomacy, & Defense), but policy without robust funding is no policy at all," said Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of GAA.  "The U.S. cannot flatline funding for key programs and squander this opportunity to solidify the gains made in fighting AIDS, TB and malaria.  The administration must live up to its own priorities by fully funding 'Development' and by making the role of violence against women and girls, pediatric HIV/AIDS and access to basic education integral to its approach in improving health and breaking the cycle of poverty."

Ensuring that global health programs are fully funded and that "Development" becomes an equal partner -- alongside "Defense" and "Diplomacy" -- will go a long way towards improving people's lives overseas and increasing national security at home. In order to eliminate havens of instability and terrorism, the US government must ramp up effective investment in eradicating poverty.  President Obama took office committed to changing the role of the U.S. in the developing world.  Fully funding foreign development assistance is critical to this changing role; and crucial to national security.

Earlier this week, the Global AIDS Alliance submitted its comments to the Obama Administration's Implementation of the Global Health Initiative: Consultation Document.  The Global AIDS Alliance (GAA) welcomes the principles of the Global Health Initiative -- especially the need for improved coordination of health partners, country ownership and leadership in building health systems and the women- and girl-centered approach reflects the reality of the health behaviors of communities.

Call for Congressional Action: GAA has a number of concerns and questions the alignment of the President's budget request to Congress, the enacted Lantos Hyde Bill (P.L. 110 -293) which authorized $48 billion including robust contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and the additional activities proposed in the President's Global Health Initiative.  It is critical that the Administration ensure that programs are not duplicative, enhance the participation of civil society at the inception of public health programs and recognize the impact that women can have on breaking the cycle of poverty.