05.16.03

Senator Maria Cantwell's Statement on Global AIDS

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – It is hard to believe that it has been over 20 years since we first learned of the disease that would come to be known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS. In those 23 years medical and pharmaceutical advancements have made HIV/ AIDS more manageable for some, but a cure is yet to be found.

The statistics are staggering: since its discovery in 1980, HIV has infected more than 65 million people worldwide, and more than 25 million have died. More than 14 million children have been orphaned. At the end of 2002, an estimated 42 million people were infected with HIV or were living with AIDS of whom more than 75 percent live in Africa or the Caribbean. And AIDS is the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 19.4 million have died.

But we know that basic intervention to prevent new HIV infections, and to bring care and treatment to people living with AIDS, has achieved meaningful results. Nonetheless, of the more than 30 million people in Africa with HIV, only 50,000 receive necessary medicines. In fact, 95 percent of the world’s HIV population does not have access to the proper medications.

And while it is easy to become discouraged in the face of such a huge, heartbreaking calamity, the truth is we know how to stop the spread of AIDS. Through a coordinated and comprehensive program of education, prevention and treatment, we know that the epidemic can be greatly reduced in scope. And as a member of the world community we need to refocus our efforts and not allow complacency--especially among populations not traditionally associated with HIV/ AIDS -- to dictate the future.

In January 2002, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was founded. The Global Fund has provided $1.5 billion in grant money to 153 programs in 92 countries for the treatment and prevention of these three deadly diseases. Funding for these vital programs will help provide hope as well as ensure a stable and healthy population base that can help move developing countries forward and support economic self-sufficiency that stabilizes governments.

Over the next few years this funding is expected to support 500,000 children orphaned by AIDS, treat two million people infected with TB, and provide funding for 20 million drug treatments for resistant malaria.

But the funding is not enough.

In May 2003, the General Accounting Office took a look at the Global Fund’s progress in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and concluded that its future success is threatened by a significant lack of funding. The report found that "The Fund’s ability to approve and finance additional grants is threatened by a significant lack of additional resources. Pledges made through the end of 2003 are insufficient to cover more than a small number of additional grants and without significant new pledges, the Fund will be unable to support all of the already approved grants beyond their initial two-year agreements."

This is a significant finding and one that we cannot ignore. In fact, according to the United Nations, about $10 billion will be needed in 2005 just to fight AIDS alone; funding programs to fight the spread of malaria and tuberculosis would cost billions more.

That is why I am pleased that late last night the Senate passed H.R. 1298, the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003. This bill would authorize $15 billion over five years to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The bill would establish an HIV/AIDS Response Coordinator and require a five year comprehensive, integrated, global strategy.

This is an important step, but just a small one. I am disappointed that an amendment I supported to guarantee at least a $500 million contribution per year to the Fund was narrowly defeated by a 48 to 52 vote. The underlying legislation would authorize up to $1 billion a year, but President Bush said he will donate only $200 million a year.

Funding for programs to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria is in the best interest of our international community and our national security.

Again, I am pleased that the Senate was able to pass this bill, though it is limited in scope, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that the Global Fund receives our full support.

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