Candidates for US President Must Have a Plan to Defeat HIV/AIDS

Network of Religious Leaders Backs Statement to US Leaders

Click here to read the 2008 Stop AIDS Plan and the current list of endorsing organizations.

Washington, DC, June 12, 2007—Polling shows that HIV/AIDS is an important concern of US voters, and some presidential candidates have raised the issue in debates and on the campaign trail. However, so far, none of the candidates have said in detail what they would do about the epidemic if elected.

A new campaign is now taking this issue directly to the candidates. Today, the Global AIDS Alliance added its name to a growing list of groups that are backing a 10-point plan that describes urgent changes needed in the US approach to AIDS. The plan, called the 2008 Stop AIDS Plan, seeks to lay out a realistic approach to the epidemic. It calls for $50 billion in US spending between 2009 and 2013.

The International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+) endorsed the platform at their 2007 Annual General Meeting in Nairobi this week. The Rev. J.P. Heath, General Secretary of the Network, said: "We note with concern that the proposed $30 billion over the next five years will not bring the Millennium Development Goals for HIV and AIDS within reach. We therefore urge the US government to greatly increase its crucial support in line with the 2008 Stop AIDS Plan."

Several prominent experts have also signed the appeal, including Anglican priest Reverend Canon Gideon Byamugisha of Uganda; Allan Rosenfield, MD, Dean, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; and Fitzhugh Mullan, MD, Murdock Head Professor of Medicine and Health Policy, George Washington University.

The ONE Campaign also called this week for a major leap in funding for programs to fight AIDS and poverty. It called on candidates to back $29 billion more in poverty-focused aid per year. On AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, it called for $9.4 billion for 2008, much more than President Bush has requested. If held constant over five years, funding at this level this would equal nearly $50 billion.

"We are all agreed that these issues require another big leap in funding by the United States," said Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. "Candidates right now are figuring how to redefine America's place in the world, and this plan lays out for them what we think are some essential steps."

"President Bush recently grabbed the headlines by appearing to double current spending, but when you look more closely at his plan you find it actually would keep spending about where it already is," Dr. Zeitz said. "So, we must now look to the next President to show the leadership that's needed to put the Millennium Development Goals within reach, including goals for HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria."

A 2006 survey showed that 68% of Americans favor a foreign policy that puts greater emphasis on fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS.

So far, the 2008 Stop AIDS Plan has been endorsed by over 150 organizations. US backers include Health GAP, which is playing a key role in promoting the plan, along with American Jewish World Service, American Medical Students Association, Constituency for Africa, Partners in Health, Physicians for Human Rights, Presbyterian Church USA (Washington Office), RESULTS, South Carolina Campaign to End AIDS, and Student Global AIDS Campaign. International groups include the Southern African Treatment Access Movement, International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS, Uganda Child Rights NGO Network, and Friends of the Global Fund Africa. Updates on the 10-point plan will be issued as additional signers are added.

In addition to HIV and AIDS, the plan includes bold ideas on debt cancellation, health system strengthening, TB and malaria, orphans and vulnerable children, access to basic education, and women's rights. It asks for $8 billion to support health workers and health systems strengthening in order to help ensure US dollars can be used effectively and efficiently.

The plan also has a strong plank stating that the US approach to HIV prevention must be comprehensive, integrated, and evidence-based.

To encourage other nations to contribute their fair share, the Stop AIDS Plan proposes a US contribution of $8 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. US donations to the Global Fund have a multiplier effect. So far, for every dollar the US has contributed to the Fund, other nations have contributed two dollars.

On May 31, President Bush proposed that the US spend $30 billion on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria over the next five years, but this was misreported by some in the media as a proposal to double current spending. In fact, the proposed $30 billion allocation would raise spending only slightly above current levels, even as the epidemic rages out of control and more funding is clearly needed.

Interaction, the largest alliance of US-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations, confirmed this assessment, stating: "Pleased as we are that President Bush has renewed his commitment to the global fight against HIV/AIDS, we recognize that $30 billion over five years implies that annual funding would plateau only slightly above the fiscal year 2008 level."

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