AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) voiced support today for new legislation dubbed “a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy,” which calls for the U.S. to spend $125 billion annually to help lower-income countries build more resilient and sustainable health systems, according to Politico Pro.

The resolution, slated to be introduced this week by three members of Congress, is meant to close financing gaps in developing countries by getting support and resources to health groups at local levels – a model AHF advocates for and practices. The $125 billion target is less than 1% of the U.S. gross national income, but it is expected to face opposition in Congress.

“This proposed $125 billion for global public health is a fraction of the trillions of dollars in savings and economic development that have been wiped out because of COVID-19. The U.S. should look at protecting the world from future health catastrophes as a wise national security investment and a partnership, instead of as charity for developing countries,” said AHF Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy Terri Ford. “We call on U.S. lawmakers to put party lines aside and be the example for the rest of the world – pass this legislation and let’s make sure that all countries, not just the super-rich, have access to the knowledge, technologies, and resources to save lives, protect themselves – and be less dependent on higher-income countries when we face the next inevitable public health threat.”

Due to the world’s inability to effectively deal with COVID-19 and other emerging health challenges, AHF has been advocating for a new Global Public Health Convention for the 21st Century, which outlines reforms to ensure the world is better prepared to deal with current and future health crises. This proposed resolution would be a step in the right direction if adopted.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1.6 million people in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe. We are currently the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

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