Reps. McCaul, Engel introduce bill to support Global Fund to fight AIDs and other diseases

Legislation to provide financial support to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last week.

The Global Fund was established in 2002 to raise money to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Contributions by the United States to the fund over the years have leveraged billions in additional investments and helped save 27 million lives saved. The Global Fund has reduced the number of AIDS-related deaths worldwide by half since 2005. It also contributed to a 37 percent decline in tuberculosis deaths from 2000 to 2016 and a 60 percent decline in malaria deaths since 2000.

“I am proud to lead this resolution demonstrating the United States’ longstanding commitment to the Global Fund, which has saved millions of lives and prevented the spread of the world’s most life-threatening diseases,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), one of the bill’s sponsors, said. “Over the years, the Global Fund has made critical gains in fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria by increasing access to treatment, preventing new cases, and ultimately supporting people around the globe to lead healthy lives.”

The bill affirms the historical U.S. commitment to providing 33 percent of funding to the Global Fund. It also supports ongoing efforts by other donors to increase their financial commitments.

The Trump Administration had proposed cutting the U.S.’s traditional contribution to the Global Fund.

“The Global Fund has contributed to incredible achievements in the fight against some of the world’s most terrible diseases,” Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and one of the bill’s sponsors, said. “We cannot accept the Trump Administration’s drastic cut to this life-saving program. I’m pleased to join with Ranking Member McCaul in introducing this resolution demonstrating Congress’s bipartisan support for this critical investment in global health.”