GLOBAL: Bush Urges Congress to Pass AIDS Funds

On Wednesday, President George Bush called on Congress to reauthorize his global AIDS initiative. Last week, the Senate sought to pass legislation that would more than triple the amount of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to $50 billion over five years, but some Republican members balked at the program’s cost. The House has already approved its version of the measure. “It’s very important that Congress reauthorize this plan,” Bush told reporters. PEPFAR is providing HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention to target countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in Vietnam and Haiti. Bush made the comments ahead of his trip to the G-8 summit, which is being held July 7-9 in Japan. He said he plans on pressing G-8 countries to live up to their pledges to tackle AIDS as well. “One of my really important agenda items is going to rally our partners to make commitments and meet commitments,” said Bush. “We’ll also discuss additional steps to confront some other challenges, such as the need to train health care workers in G-8 partner countries in Africa.” [Article source: http://www.reuters.com]

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