Clark Proposes $30 Billion Plan To Fight AIDS...

[wyldwolf]

Gen. Wesley K. Clark on Monday will propose doubling to $30 billion the United States' financial commitment to fighting AIDS and other diseases in the developing world.

In a speech he is scheduled to give at a community H.I.V. treatment center here on Monday, which international organizations have designated World AIDS Day, General Clark also plans to propose financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies working on vaccines for AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, diseases that disproportionately affect people in developing countries.

The $30 billion commitment, to be spread over five years, would be paid for in part by rescinding recent tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, aides to General Clark said. The proposal would roughly double President Bush's pledge to spend $15 billion over five years to battle AIDS worldwide...

Unlike the president's plan, which directs most financing through agencies controlled in part by the United States, General Clark's proposal would provide "a large majority" of the money to international organizations like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/01/politics/campaigns/01CLAR.html?ex=1070859600&en=c0adedcac96abbc4&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

[RandomUser]

1. Hmmm

I started out a bit ambivalent about this, but now think it's a wise choice for Clark's administration if he beats Bush. First, I liked the sentiment and it's a good cause. But at the same time, I think it's important to fix Bush's budget mess and get away from tax-cut and spend deficits.

But on a strategic level, this may be one of the steps of showing our commitment to various international organizations and using those tools to strengthen ties and rebuild alliances. The soft power dividends can then be applied in a variety of situations and help fix the foreign policy mess. And of course, we get to address the AIDS crisis and save lives as a happy bonus. This could be a very smart move when woven together with other steps to create a coherent strategy to rebuild our soft power.

[slinkerwink]

2. Dean already came out with this earlier

On the international front, Dean promised to:
Restore our role as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Renew the fight against Global AIDS, by providing $30 billion in the fight against AIDS by 2008 to help the Global Fund meet its resource requirements and to fund US bilateral global HIV/AIDS programs, as well as offer debt relief to nations fighting the AIDS pandemic to allow for much needed health investments.

Improve the vital healthcare infrastructure of the world's developing countries.

Assist orphans and children cast adrift by the AIDS pandemic.
"As a physician, I understand disease, the need for medical and public health investments, and the role that untreated disease can play in devastating individuals, families, communities, and whole societies. I know the critical importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. As President, I will not stand silent while this disease continues to claim victims," Governor Dean said.

On November 17, 2003, Governor Dean signed the Presidential Pledge To Action on Global AIDS, sponsored by the Global AIDS Alliance.

[sandnsea]

3. Kerry's authored legislation

Been working on it for years, first supporting the Ryan White Care Act and then authoring global aids legislation.

Global AIDS and Tuberculosis Relief Act 2000
http://www.thebody.com/whitehouse/relief_act.html

US Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2002
http://www.iavi.org/highlights/129/h20020515.asp

He also cochaired the CSIS Task Force on HIV/AIDS, leading to legislation above. The most recent report is here:

http://www.csis.org/africa/HIVAIDS.cfm

Excerpts from 2003 Report
http://www.csis.org/africa/HIVAIDS/030227_secondepp_statement.pdf

Accelerating delivery will require that the coordinator work closely with Congress to identify and pursue innovative ways to deliver assistance, including building upon best practices among nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); enlarging creative publicprivate
partnerships in which corporate interests have advanced prevention through aggressive education, counseling, condom promotion, and other interventions; and seizing upon examples from U.S. government assistance programs that work.

First, there is need for a coherent, dynamic “second wave” strategy.

The September 2002 National Intelligence Council report outlined that by 2010 there could be 50 to 75 million persons infected with HIV in China, Russia, India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Only the latter two countries fall within the president’s initiative. In addition,
other countries are likely to experience similar increases in HIV/AIDS, according to the report.

Second, there is need for an integrated strategy to reduce the acute vulnerability of women, especially girls.

The epidemic’s disproportionate impact on women and girls has given rise to the steady feminization of HIV/AIDS, rooted in women and girls’ economic dependency and the denial of their rights. To be effective, U.S. interventions have to address the root causes of
these vulnerabilities and strengthen—not limit—the tools essential for women and girls to protect themselves and their families.

Third, there is need for a revised U.S. food relief and development strategy to mitigate the crushing impact HIV/AIDS is having on rural households. Across southern and eastern Africa, HIV/AIDS is creating chronic food insecurity and putting entire communities at risk of dissolution.

Far greater effort is needed to meet the special nutritional requirements of persons living with HIV/AIDS and the communities that often depend on them. This aid cannot wait for large-scale testing for HIV status but should begin in communities in high incidence areas. Expanded food rations and cash income are needed to lessen the burden of single parents caring for orphans and the sick and to reduce the risk of young women turning to commercial sex work for survival. These programs can also be used to provide extended support to elementary schools.

[robbedvoter]

4. I guess, Clark should give it up: other candidates already thought of it..

Ugh...Okkey Dokey.
After all, Richard Gere apparently thinks W has done more for Aids than Clinton - so maybe everyone should go home and play with their gerbils...:wtf:

[sandnsea]

5. No

It's just a matter of comparing and contrasting and looking at what kind of knowledge and plans different candidates bring to the table in different areas. That's all. The problem of AIDS overseas is more than just the illness and it's important to see how far-reaching the consequences are and what all needs to be addressed. I think Clark probably gets that.

[LoneStarLiberal]

6. Good Detail on the Plan

Wes Clark's Global AIDS Security Strategy
<http://www.clark04.com/issues/aids_global/>

1.Keep the U.S. commitment to combat AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria worldwide - doubling funding to $30 billion by 2008.

>>Nothing really new here but I like the inclusion of TB and malaria >>in the strategy.

2.Dedicate a large majority of U.S. funding to multilateral approaches like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria, while demanding results and additional commitments from our allies.

>>Nothing new here either but I like the multilateral tone.

3.Base prevention and research efforts on the best available science, including overturning the global gag rule.

>>The global gag rule has to be the worst example of Christian >>fundamentalism in foreign policy since the U.S. government >>officially endorsed missionaries. It's a disaster that needs to be >>revoked and I'm glad to see Clark specifically stepping up to the >>plate.

4.Unleash the power of the market to develop cost-effective vaccines for AIDS and other infectious diseases.

>>This one is bound to get some drawers in a knot. The recognition >>that any AIDS policy beyond preaching celebacy will require >>pharmaceutical innovation is a very important component. Utilizing >>pull mechanisms for positive financial reward for companies >>investing in vaccine research is a great practical way of seeing >>that a serious AIDS policy will get a chance to succeed.

[CWebster]

7. "...financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies"

Just what they need.

Most often the government(read taxpayer)pays for R&D, through University Research programs. The pharm corps claim they have to charge higher costs to pay for R&D but it is really for advertising for more lucrative drugs, like the one for impotence.