Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - Monday, June 4, 2007
From nearly a standing start, he brought spending to $15 billion over five years. With that program nearly over, he wants to double the figure to $30 billion for the next five years, making Washington by far the biggest player in the global AIDS fight.
Critics say the money isn't enough, programs are burdened with conservative dogma on sex, and the sudden jump in dollars is an 11th hour bid to buff his image at next week's summit of economic powers.
All of that may carry an element of truth, but the White House's steady support deserves praise. The HIV virus that causes AIDS is mostly a poor-country disease, hitting sub-Sahara Africa hardest, even though it has far from gone away in this nation. It would be easy to dodge the AIDS challenge as distant, unwinnable or too costly.
The Bush proposal -- even at the $30 billion level -- won't defeat the disease. With no cure or vaccine at hand, the money is split between treatment drugs, which prolong life, and prevention programs such as condom distribution and education. AIDS remains a crushing numbers game: The first $15 billion in U.S. money brought life-extending drugs to just 2 million of the 40 million infected worldwide. The next stage envisions giving medicine to only 500,000 more.
Drugs are only one part of the battle. Future money will go to millions of African orphans, a subset of victims created when both parents die from AIDS. Prevention will also be expanded in hope of bringing down the rising curve of infections. For now, the "ABC" doctrine (abstinence, be faithful and use condoms) will stay as will requirements that grant recipients sign a pledge opposing prostitution, though AIDS treatment among this group is a must.
The Bush package could also tap the shame factor. It should oblige Congress and the next president to stick with the plan. It also forces the world's other wealthy nations to back up past pledges with money in the disease fight. It's a laudable legacy for this White House.
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