O’Neill Has Increased Bush Administration’s HIV/AIDS Awareness, Editorial Says
Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill has increased the Bush administration's awareness of the international HIV/AIDS epidemic and that feat is "near the top of his accomplishments," an Oregonian editorial says. Since O'Neill briefed President Bush on his May trip to Africa, Bush has increased funding to fight HIV/AIDS, which some HIV/AIDS activists believe is "an important advance" that shows that the administration has "turned a corner" in recognizing the connection between illness and poverty. O'Neill, who spoke in Portland last week, said that existing programs and aid are "helping," but added that "more needs to be done." The editorial concludes, "O'Neill is right" that the United States could increase HIV/AIDS funding, adding, "There's no reason that can't change. And every reason that it should" (Oregonian, 8/20).
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