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GMHC DECRIES UNDER-FUNDING OF GLOBAL AIDS EFFORTS
President Fails to Stand By Earlier Promises in His Final State of the Union Address
New York, NY/Jan. 28, 2007 — In his final State of the Union address, President Bush proposed under-funding what is considered to be the Administration's most significant program in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Bush called for $30 billion in spending over a five year period for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), but advocates say at least $59 billion is needed if the U.S. is going to stand by its commitments on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
In contrast to the 2003 PEPFAR authorization, when the U.S. pledged to provide treatment to two million people in fifteen countries by the end of FY 2008, the President's current proposal would extent treatment to only half a million additional people over the next five years.
"This represents an alarming abandonment of PEPFAR's goals and of the administration's promises to the international community," said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC). "It is unconscionable that the President would seek to under-fund at the current level, especially at this moment in time. Just when new treatments are radically changing life chances for people with HIV, under-funding will effectively slam the door on millions of others."
HIV prevention efforts were also given the short shrift in the State of the Union. In 2003, Bush set an objective of seven million infections prevented. The goal for the next five years has been cut to five million.
Advocates are now turning to Congress to ensure full funding for PEPFAR. Representative Tom Lantos (D-CA) chairs the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, charged with drafting the reauthorization.
"We cannot fight this epidemic with one hand tied behind our back." declared Dr. Hill. "If the Bush administration prevails in this grossly inadequate request, there is no doubt that lives will be lost. Now it's up to our elected officials to make certain that doesn't happen."
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported
and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the
fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease,
help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence,
and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and
local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our
heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of
all gay men and lesbians. We provide services and programs to over
15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by
HIV/AIDS in New York City. For more information, please visit www.gmhc.org.
© 2007 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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