May 6, 2009 at 11:20 am

So great to see the US leading on this.

May 6, 2009 at 2:28 pm

Thanks Chandler for this update and I must agree with ChrisScott. This IS very good news for the world’s poor at a time when all of us are experiencing tenuous economic times.

The simple fact is that, no matter how much we are currently suffering, the brunt of the world economic crisis is being felt the hardest on those who can least buffer it – those millions of people living in extreme poverty around the world.

With Mother’s Day coming up. it is important for us to understand that women & their children around the world are at the greatest risk of losing their lives to conditions brought on by extreme poverty & that, in honor of our mothers, we need to PICK UP THE PACE of our advocacy for them.

ONE HEART, ONE HOPE, ONE VOICE, ONE LOVE – debbie
http://www.myspace.com/mulago

PS:

People can also go to the MySpace listed above to see other measures that they can be a part of for some very dear friends of ONE – on Mother’s Day and throughout the year.

All the Best to ONE co-founder, Bono, as he approaches his b-day this weekend.~

May 6, 2009 at 5:14 pm

This is actually bad news, and if Bono had checked with activists before praising it, he would have found that out.

Last year, Congress reauthorized PEPFAR at $48 billion over 5 years. But the new proposal calls for only $51 billion for the same programs over six years – a $6.6 billion cut. This means dramatic reductions in global AIDS funding, with little left for vital expenditures like maternal and child health and health system strengthening.

Let’s not pat Obama on the back when he actually hurts people with HIV.

May 6, 2009 at 5:38 pm

Mark, I think that most people who follow the current mood in Congress for paring down government spending at this time of economic uncertainty for our country will admit that a $5.6 Billion cut is more than we would have liked to have seen but is much better than what could have been proposed to have been cut from the FY2010 federal budget.

As someone who has supported PEPFAR since its beginning and who has African friends on the frontlines of fighting HIV/AIDS in the Continent, I can appreciate wanting more funding for this program but I will also not stand in the way of current efforts for PEPFAR funding in this new economic reality.

Thanks for your concern.

ALWAYS ONE in the Spirit, debbie

May 6, 2009 at 6:36 pm

You may accept that, but it’s not what Obama repeatedly promised us. Hundreds of billions in bailout money easily appear, but global AIDS funding can’t even maintain current levels – great. This is not something to celebrate.

But the real point is that Bono called it a “bold initiative” without mentioning that it actually is a cut, and without checking with any activists first. That hurts all of our efforts to prevent this damaging budget proposal (which we will do, trust me).

May 6, 2009 at 7:31 pm

Mark, this will be my last post in this thread hopefully because I will not debate you or anyone else about this issue. The ONE Blog is more tolerant than most blogs with dissenting opinions as long as they are expressed respectfully.

It appears by your post that you are a fellow Global AIDS “activist” – would you mind letting us all know which organization you support?

I have already shared my organizations so I think in fairness & transparency it would be great if you shared your organization with us.

I would love to know which “activists” that you would have wanted Bono or ONE to check with first before this thread was posted here in the ONE Blog?

I did not know that Bono or anyone else had to check with others before they voice their opinion!
That does not sound very democratic to me, Mark.

This thread is NOT about Bono – it is about the Obama administration doing the best that it can to keep as much money as possible in the Global AIDS budget for next year – so why the big focus on Bono?

As I said before, we would ALL like to see the entire amount of money originally promised for Global Health in the next budget

but BEING REALISTIC, if we can not get the original amount of money for the Global Health portion of the next federal budget, this is about as close as we can get.

Maybe YOUR Global AIDS organization can help us get more of these funds .

BTW – which Global AIDS organization are you an “activist” with again?

AS ONE, debbie

May 6, 2009 at 8:35 pm

I’m involved with a number of orgs; ATAC, HealthGAP, ACT UP, etc. – but others groups, including GAA and RESULTS, have also criticized Bono for praising this horrible cut without first checking with others. All of us consult with each other to make sure that our statements don’t impair our work – it would be great if Bono would do the same.

And yes, all the above orgs will be working to repair this damage, which we have a very realistic chance of doing.

May 6, 2009 at 9:26 pm

First of all, Mark, RESULTS is a ONE member organization so it would probably be good if that organization would speak for itself if it had a problem with this post in the ONE Blog.

As for the other organizations, unless you’re in a position of authority to speak on behalf of these organizations, generally organizations do not appreciate their volunteers or supporters to attempt to speak on behalf of their organizations.

Your opinion is important but make sure that you are not attempting to portray yourself as speaking on behalf of an organization when you do not have that authority.

Just a friendly fyi.

Lastly – WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM, Mark!

We all want to see the original amount of money going into Global Health programs & I am sure that ONE members will do all that they can to advocate for more money than what Pres. Obama has officially released.

We have always advocated for as much money as possible going into these Global health programs so there is no separation between us, Mark!

I hope that you will understand that.

If you are as involved in the political process as you’re alluding to, then you know that Congress will ultimately set funding levels for these programs & generally Congress has allotted more money for Global Health programs than what the President often sets in his budget outlines.

So we may yet get the original amount of money that we all want to see!

Living Positively, debbie
http://www.myspace.com/mulago

May 6, 2009 at 10:21 pm

RESULTS’ analysis of the President’s Global Health Initiative can be found here: http://www.results.org/website/download.asp?id=3959 (PDF).

We have not criticized Bono, although we do have a different interpretation of the President’s announcement. There is simply not enough funding in this budget scenario to fully fund the Lantos-Hyde Act, AND achieve our other global health goals for maternal and child health, family planning, and other issues. That’s disappointing.

We’ve certainly worked with the ONE Campaign in the past on important global health victories, and look forward to continuing to work together to ensure Congressional and Presidential commitments on global health and poverty are kept.

May 6, 2009 at 11:41 pm

Mr. Bono has it ever occurred to that you have really no right to speak for people with HIV and call this a good proposal? This is not a good proposal. In fact it CUTS global AIDS programs. As a person who lives with HIV, I am highly offended and angered by your claim that this is a good proposal. As a person who lives with AIDS in the US, I am intimately aware of the struggles of many people with AIDS in under developed countries just to merely exist many of them have shared their stories with me about how limited their access to treatment really is. From a lack of infrastructure to a lack of Health Care Workers, their access to treatment is limited. I also personally know that treatment is important to saving lives. Treatment here in the US has saved my life. But under President Obama’s proposal, people will lose access to treatment.
Your statements Mr Bono not only impairs our work , but can actually undermine our work. Please consult the real experts….People with AIDS.

Waheedah
ACT-UP, Philadelphia

May 6, 2009 at 11:45 pm

At the moment, I think he is a great person who wants to do good things for poor people, and a better distribution of the resources of the country. But so many selfishperson from the U.S.A. and so many others countries, do not want that. Always the discrimination exiist. But some day GOD wil give for each one that they deserve. P.D. My mother is from Venezuela, my father for croacia, my son from U.S.A.,and my grandsdaughters from spain and I love every body.

May 7, 2009 at 12:50 am

I didn’t say I was speaking on anyone’s behalf – I merely responded to your question about what orgs I belong to.

But in fact, HealthGAP and others have issued press releases condemning the cuts, and are disappoined Bono spoke without first checking with anyone else in the fight.

May 7, 2009 at 7:51 am

I’m glad for your sake that you clarified that you are speaking as an individual, Mark, because organizations do not like to be misrepresented.

I am more than familiar with HealthGAP and some of their spproaches to AIDS advocacy & thus I am not surprised by your words about them.

Once again – THIS THREAD IS ABOUT PRESIDENT OBAMA and not about anyone else. It is sad when individuals or organizations attempt to change the emphasis of a thread or statement to suit their own purposes.

That gets us NOWHERE in honest dualogue with each other at a time when all of us need to be as united as possible!

Division in the Global AIDS advocacy field is never desirable & to foment that division is quite regrettable.

You & HealthGAP are entitled to your opinions & entitled to your tactics also in restoring these cuts to the Global Health budget.

Likewise, ONE (representing over two & a half MILLION Americans) & Bono are entitled to their opinion & their tactics in restoring these cuts to the Global Heakth budget – PLEASE RESPECT THAT AS WE RESPECT YOU!

So, we have both had our opinions expressed in this thread – what would be the necessity to continue to bicker about this issue anymore?

I am off today to talk to my Senators’ district offices about the FULLEST FUNDING POSSIBLE for the FY2010 Global Health budget – what will you be doing?

Living Positively, debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org

May 7, 2009 at 1:01 pm

You’re glad for my sake? I never said that I spoke for anyone – you’re the only one who brought that up.

And I respect people who work together and who respect the work of others. By praising a terrible budget without taking the time to check with other activist organizations, Bono showed little respect for the thousands of people working on this issue,

May 7, 2009 at 4:47 pm

Dear friends,

I think there’s been some misunderstanding of Bono’s and ONE’s statement in response to President Obama’s global health plan the other day. Bono and ONE reacted to the overall global health announcement over 6 years – a sizeable $63 billion commitment – not to specific aspects of the health budget. The $63 billion total for global health is nearly $14b more than if health spending were flatlined at 09. This alone will not accomplish the critical goals to improve global health that we all share, but it’s a significant commitment in a tough environment. This step forward on health also comes in the context of some robust commitments in other poverty-fighting spending, including agricultural development. The $700 million increase in 2010 for the Development Assistance account is mostly being directed towards agricultural development and climate change programming – programming that is critical to fighting poverty and has been underfunded in recent years.

Looking specifically at HIV/AIDS spending for 2010 (as opposed to all health over time), the President’s budget is not as strong as we would have liked. Flat funding for the Global Fund, for example, is disappointing and we will work hard with the community to convince Congress to boost the US commitment. PEPFAR in 2010 is also not enough. On the positive side, bilateral efforts to fight malaria would increase by $200 million, a 36% increase. And Obama’s statement of a long-term commitment to maternal and child health as well as neglected tropical diseases is critical.

We do not foresee cuts to PEPFAR as some are concerned about. Obama said he wants to meet the full PEPFAR authorized level over 6 years, as opposed to 5.

Neither in our statement Tuesday, nor at any time prior, has ONE or Bono claimed to represent the community. As many other groups did, we simply reacted to the announcement and its focus on the long-term commitment to comprehensively improve global health. We will have a more detailed analysis of the 2010 budget tomorrow.

Thanks.

Tom Hart
Director of Government Relations
ONE

May 7, 2009 at 6:20 pm

I’m glad to hear that ONE will be issuing another statement.

Here are some that have already been released:

GLOBAL AIDS ADVOCATES SHOCKED BY DRASTIC FUNDING CUTS IN PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FIRST BUDGET

Expect HIV Treatment Interruption for Thousands if Congress Doesn’t Restore $6.6 Billion Shortfall

Washington, DC: Today, President Obama released the details of his 2010 budget for Global Health, and outlined a new six-year global health initiative. However, the only aspect of the plan that appears “new” is a dramatic decrease in funding for programs to address HIV, malaria and tuberculosis.

Last year, with the help of then-Senators Biden and Obama, Congress reauthorized the US global AIDS, TB, and malaria programs (commonly called PEPFAR) at $48 billion over 5 years. A modest estimate to extend that level of funding over six years to match the new initiative would be $57.6 billion. The President’s current proposal only calls for $51 billion for the same programs – a $6.6 billion cut. This means there will be dramatic reductions to funding for AIDS, TB, malaria, and still very little left over for vital expenditures like maternal and child health and health system strengthening.

The President had previously committed to do significantly more on global AIDS, TB and malaria. In his statement, President Obama highlighted his commitment to the Lantos-Hyde US Global Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Act while he was a Senator. This legislation authorized $48 billion over five years for AIDS, TB and malaria. During his campaign, at several junctures, he promised to fully fund PEPFAR, including a written pledge to support $50 billion over five years for global AIDS alone. President Obama also committed to the training of one million new health workers globally.

“President Obama repeatedly committed to ensuring the US does its fair share to fight AIDS around the world. But this budget’s drastic cuts to funding for AIDS, TB and malaria shows that his promises were just rhetoric,” said Kaytee Riek, Director of Organizing for Health GAP. “Effective programs, and the people whose lives are saved by those programs, will suffer.”

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria is in particular danger. “The Global Fund board meeting is taking place right now and we are going to be making some difficult decisions about how to respond to the $5 billion funding shortfall. We had hoped that President Obama would fulfill his campaign promise with this budget and contribute the U.S. fair share to this lifesaving multilateral program. Sadly, with a mere $366 million increase in US funding for all AIDS, TB and malaria programs in 2010, there is not enough room to fully fund the Global Fund, and means the Global Fund may have to start cutting existing and future grants,” said Asia Russell, Director of International Advocacy for Health GAP and a Board Member of the Global Fund.

The budget now goes to Congress for debate and approval. “This budget does not contain the funding for the Administration to meet targets Congress required when it reauthorized PEPFAR. In addition, this budget does not go nearly far enough on other global health priorities, including maternal and child health and health systems strengthening”, said Siham Elhamoumi, a Health GAP core member and leader in the Vermont Global Health Coalition. “Fortunately, Senator Leahy, Representative Lowey, and others in Congress can ensure that the Administration has the resources they need to save millions of lives worldwide. We are hoping they will act.”
_______________________

PRESIDENT OBAMA’S FY10 BUDGET BREAKS HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISES ON GLOBAL ISSUES

“President Obama is betraying the trust of millions of people around the world, many of whom will die as a result of that betrayal.”

Washington, DC (Thursday, May 07, 2009) – President Obama’s $3.55 trillion budget released today breaks four of his campaign promises and creates a total shortfall of $4.6 billion in U.S. support for global AIDS and education programs.

The proposed FY10 funding ignores the President’s campaign promises by including only $5 billion for PEPFAR, the successful U.S. bilateral AIDS program ($1.5 billion shortfall); $900 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ($1.8 billion shortfall); and $700 million for global basic education ($1.3 billion shortfall). The FY10 budget also makes it impossible for the President to meet his stated target of doubling foreign assistance by 2012. [See fact sheet linked below.]

This budget request sets the Obama Administration on a path to breaking many of its campaign promises to the people of Africa and to falling short on its commitments to reassert U.S. moral leadership around the world, with devastating health consequences. GAA estimates that as a consequence of President Obama’s broken promises:

• One million people around the world will not receive treatment for AIDS.

• 2.9 million women won’t receive services to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

• 27 million people will not access sexual disease transmission prevention programs.

• 1.9 million orphans and other children affected by or vulnerable to HIV/AIDS will not receive care and support services.

“Underfunding these critical programs will have grave consequences, especially during the current global economic crisis and at a point in time when the world may be in the early stages of a devastating flu pandemic,” said Dr. Paul Zeitz, executive director of the Global AIDS Alliance.

“The President has a moral obligation to demonstrate global leadership on behalf of the poorest and most marginalized people of the world, especially in Africa. But by turning his back on those needs, President Obama is betraying the trust of millions of people around the world, many of whom will die as a result of that betrayal. We are disappointed by his short-sighted leadership,” said Zeitz.