A World AIDS Day Wake-Up Call

The U.S. Congress is currently in the midst of the appropriations process – during which it decides how much money will be allocated to every U.S. government funded program. Under the Obama administration, funding for global AIDS programs has been consistently diminished or flat-lined since 2010. The President’s budget request for FY2017, released earlier this year, continued this flat-funding for the PEPFAR program, despite the urgent need for a $500 million increase in order to scale up access to treatment and prevention services. In the coming months, Congress has the ability to change this.

Last week, the House Appropriations Committee released their draft bill with funding for global AIDS programs. They have proposed a continuation of flat-lined funding levels – which is $500 million less then what PEPFAR needs. Health GAP will be working to encourage members of congress to propose amendments to this bill in the coming weeks.

The Senate committee is scheduled to release their initial plan for the budget on Tuesday, June 28th, and it is likely that similar advocacy work will be needed to win increases in funding in the Senate bill.

If you’re interested in getting involved with our advocacy on U.S. funding for global AIDS programs, email our organizer Emily, at emily@healthgap.org.

In the meantime, check out our brand new infographic on the deadly impacts of U.S. funding cuts to global AIDS programs, and the need for Congress to put its money where its mouth is: