Register for E-mail alerts. Comment on articles. Sign up today, it's easy.
Close
The Washington Times Online Edition

LETTER TO EDITOR: AIDS funding

Your Wednesday editorial “AIDS funding boondoggle” makes it sound as if large amounts of funding will flow to China as a result of the legislation reauthorizing the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR).

In fact, on a yearly basis, less than 1 percent of U.S. AIDS funding (including support channeled through the Global Fund) is used in China, and this is not expected to change because the focus of the program will remain Africa. None of this funding will be used, as you describe it, for “coercive sterilizations and abortions.”

It also is not strictly accurate to say that the bill would triple the size of PEPFAR, because much of the increased funding in the bill is not for the AIDS program, but rather for programs to fight tuberculosis and malaria, which together kill about 7,000 people each day. Stopping TB is also critically important because of the threat it poses to Americans.

The funding in the bill, on a yearly basis, is less than 1 percent of the annual federal budget. This is a small price to pay for programs that will save millions of lives and foster good will around the world. That is why Republican Sens. Lugar, McCain and others were right to co-sponsor this crucial legislation.

DAVID BRYDEN

Global AIDS Alliance

Communications Director

Washington, D.C.

Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus
You Might Also Like
  • Rep. Ron Paul

    Republicans see need to give Paul a voice

    By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

  • White House says contraception compromise will stand

    By David Eldridge and Cheryl Wetzstein - The Washington Times

  • **FILE** President Obama speaks Feb. 1, 2012, at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church, Va. (Associated Press)

    Obama to unveil budget with higher taxes, more deficits

    By Dave Boyer - The Washington Times

  • In Case You Missed It
    Talk of the Web
    Happening Now

          Independent voices from the TWT Communities

          Urban Game Changer

          A mother of three and a passionate conservative, Shirley Husar changes the game with commentary on the political game ala California, U.S.A.

          Champion's Heart

          A wife, mother of three and world waterskiing champion looks at the world through the eyes of her faith.