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On the Issues: Global Health

Global health is one of the most serious humanitarian challenges facing the international community.  HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria are responsible for the deaths of more than six million people each year, and the United States is firmly committed to fighting these diseases.  During my time in Congress, I have consistently voted to increase assistance to the nations most affected by these diseases, and I am committed to continuing the fight against pandemic disease in the 111th Congress.

I was proud to be in Congress when we committed to authorizing $3 billion each year from 2004 to 2008 for global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria eradication as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  Over 800,000 people in the developing world are now receiving treatment under PEPFAR and over 13.6 million have received HIV tests and counseling.

In 2009 the United States provided $900 million to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS in support of this important work.  Among the progress made so far, the Global Fund has provided two million people with antiretroviral treatment, 4.6 million people with treatment for Tuberculosis and 70 million with bed nets and drugs for the treatment for malaria. I am proud to have supported these efforts through my votes in Congress.

However over 39 million people still live with HIV/AIDS, including more than 2 million people newly infected each year.  We must do more to combat this disease and save lives.  Fortunately, Congress voted to continue funding PEPFAR in 2008 (H.R. 5501), authorizing $48 billion over the next five years to continue fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria around the world.  I strongly advocated for the removal of the requirement to use a minimum 33% of the 20% of funding allocated for HIV/AIDS prevention efforts for only abstinence-until-marriage education, and I am pleased that the 2008 reauthorization includes no such regulation.  This provision significantly limited countries’ abilities to utilize prevention funds in ways best suited to local conditions, hampering prevention efforts.

I will also be advocating for an increase in number of Global Fund focus countries.  India, which now has the highest number (2.5 million) of HIV infected individuals, should receive more attention.  As a close ally, the United States should be providing support to India as it works to combat this health crisis. 

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am also committed to expanding American funding for fighting HIV to include Eastern Europe where HIV infection is becoming more entrenched.  Since 2003, HIV infection in this region has increased by 26% with Ukraine and Russia being most affected.

These global health issues cannot be adequately addressed without investment in health infrastructure and health systems in these affected nations. As part of the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases I will be advocating for increased funding in health infrastructure and systems. I will be working diligently with my colleagues in the 111th Congress to increase funding for global health in the foreign operations appropriations for 2009.  Global HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria funding increased from $2.3 billion in 2004 to $3.4 billion in 2006. 

In May 2009, President Obama asked Congress to approve $8.6 billion for Fiscal Year 2010 -- and $63 billion over six years -- to shape a new, comprehensive global health strategy.  I am excited to work with the President to accomplish this bold initiative.