George Bush's stance on HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest pandemics threatening the stability of entire regions and countries around the world. With an estimate of 40 million people worldwide being infected and an estimate of 5 million infected just last year, efficient HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs are necessary in order to combat the disease that is rampantly threatening the lives of millions across the world today.

George W. Bush:

Description of candidate's position: Bush feels that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is one of the greatest medical challenges facing our world today. On May 27, 2003, Bush signed the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act, a bill introduced by Kerry and enacting his proposed Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a five year, $15 billion initiative to turn the tide in combating global HIV/AIDS pandemic. "Keeping his promise of ramping up funding over five years, the President's 2005 budget is 16 percent above 2004 and 78 percent more than 2003". Bush website

Quotation from the candidate: "Every day in our world, 8,000 lives are lost to the AIDS pandemic -- 8,000 people a day. We are fighting one of the great tragedies of human history. And it's important for our fellow citizens to understand that this is a great tragedy. See, when you see a great tragedy, people will respond. This isn't a minor tragedy. It's just not a blip in history. It is a great tragedy. That's how I view it. That's how others here view it, as well. June 23, 2004, from the Bush website".

Assessment of the proposal:

Positive: CARE, an international humanitarian organization that serves individuals and families in the poorest communities around the world, stated that "every day that passes without this crucial funding means thousands more deaths, said Peter Bell, president and CEO of CARE. U.S. leadership is essential to the worldwide struggle against the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is already the most devastating humanitarian crisis of our time &endash; and quite possibly of all time".

Negative: The Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance, an organization dedicated to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic globally, stated that "this budget shows the President is in denial about the scale of the crisis," stated Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. By putting almost all funds (93%) into US-controlled programs, the President shows he is so concerned about being upstaged by the Fund that he is willing to destroy it. This is deeply misguided. The Fund helps many countries that are left out of the Bush program, including places where AIDS is rapidly expanding. In addition, Bush proposes an 11% cut in global health programs that address threats besides AIDS, as well as cuts to refugee assistance and other poverty programs. We believe this is a serious mistake". Global AIDS Alliance

Comparison: Both Bush and Kerry feel that HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest public health pandemics facing our world today and Bush feels that he has shown his commitment to educating and treating the disease with the enactment of the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act of 2003. An act that authorizes $15 billion over five years and his proposed budget for 2005 is a 78 percent increase in funding than in 2003. Kerry feels that additional funding is necessary not only for the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act of 2003, but also the Ryan White CARE Act that will help combat the disease domestically. Critics also criticize Bush for his slow response in funding his commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

Link to Kerry's issue brief.