U.S. ‘Should Do Its Fair Share’ By Contributing More Money to Global Fund, Editorial Says
Even in times of budget constraints, the U.S. "should do its fair share" to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, "which the U.S. leaders helped to create, is the best mechanism for doing so," a Des Moines Register editorial says. The Senate has proposed giving $600 million to the Global Fund in fiscal year 2006, and the House has proposed $400 million, according to the editorial. "Even ... $600 million is too low," as it only would help fund existing programs, the editorial says, adding that David Bryden of the Global AIDS Alliance said that an additional $240 million would be necessary for the fund to provide grants to new programs. The Global Fund "makes good use of dollars," but the U.S. "continues to pour the majority of its aid money into U.S.-led AIDS programs" that "come with strings," the editorial says. "Strings" -- such as having FDA approve antiretroviral drugs, urging countries to promote abstinence, and requiring groups to pledge to oppose prostitution and sex trafficking -- "serve only to further the political agendas of U.S. politicians, not save lives or spend dollars wisely," the Register says, concluding, "Contributing our share to the Global Fund is a better use of U.S. dollars" (Des Moines Register, 9/21).
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