Bush Administration Should Increase AIDS Funding for Developing Countries, Washington Post Editorial Says
Although the Bush administration supported the idea of a global fund to "combat AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases in developing countries" at last week's World Bank meetings, the administration "has since suggested it may make only a modest contribution -- perhaps $200 million," a Washington Post editorial states. The editorial says this amount is "not enough," and that the "devastation of developing countries by AIDS is one of the most serious threats to global order, and a crucial moral challenge to rich nations." In addition, the AIDS epidemic "could wipe out a significant part of [Africa's] most productive people, and destabilize societies for generations." Even with the administration's proposed 10% increase in foreign AIDS assistance this year, the United States' contribution to the global fund would "still fall well short of where the United States should be." The Bush administration needs to show "active leadership, rather than grudging acquiescence," the editorial states. The editorial urges the White House to "endorse" a proposal approved by the Senate to double to $1 billion the administration's request for AIDS spending (Washington Post, 5/6).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.