Global AIDS Alliance, 34 Other Organizations Call for ‘Swift Passage’ of International AIDS Funding Authorization Bill

The Global AIDS Alliance and 34 other national organizations have joined together to request that congressional leaders work toward "swift passage" of the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Act of 2002, which would authorize "much greater expenditures" on AIDS worldwide, according to a GAA press release. Although the legislation provides no actual funds, proponents say if the bill is passed and signed into law it could be a "roadmap" and "reference point" for future funding. Versions of the bill have already passed in the Senate (S 2649 and S 2525) and the House (HR 2069), but attempts at conciliation have failed. "This legislation is the most far-reaching on global AIDS ever considered. Yet, time is running out. ... This disease is a killer of children, of families, and it's on the conscience of Congress should the clock run out on this bill," GAA Executive Director Dr. Paul Zietz wrote in a letter to Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.). The American Nurses Association and the National Association of Social Workers, as well as other health care, religious, human rights and women's policy groups, signed the letter (GAA release, 10/30).