Action Alert: Global Funding for AIDS, TB and Malaria

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs passed a landmark bill last week, calling for authorization of crucial funding for AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB) programs. The full House of Representatives will be considering the bipartisan bill in the next few weeks. Now is the time to speak up for international health!

EngenderHealth is very pleased that the Lantos-Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against AIDS, TB, and Malaria Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5501) calls for $50 billion over five years and includes provisions for:

• More funding for malaria and TB programs
• Preventing HIV infections among women and girls
• Expanding treatment and care for people living with HIV and AIDS, with the goal of treating at least 3 million individuals and providing care for 12 million individuals

While the new bill authorizes the use of global AIDS funds to provide HIV testing and counseling services in family planning programs supported by the United States, it unfortunately does not include language to support the integration of family planning services in U.S.-supported HIV prevention programs.

Additionally, the antiprostitution pledge, which requires that all organizations condemn prostitution by signing a pledge in order to receive U.S. support, remains in the bill. EngenderHealth continues to advocate for the revocation of this policy, as it is counterproductive and stigmatizes a group especially vulnerable to HIV.

Still, the bill calls for crucial funding to fight infectious diseases that continue to devastate the developing world. If you believe that the House should approve this bill, which will greatly reduce HIV, malaria, and TB infections worldwide, we need you to act now.

Sign our action alert to tell your representatives about your support for global funding for AIDS, TB and malaria!