Agreement on AIDS Program Renewal Reached

The Bush Administration and the Democratic leadership in Congress reached agreement yesterday on an renewal and expansion of the President's Emergency Program for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. In his State of the Union Address last month, the president called for the program's funding level to be doubled from the $15 billion provided to AIDS relief programs in sub-Saharan Africa to $30 billion.

Democrats in Congress had pushed for changes to the program, specifically its requirements that one-third of the money is spent on abstinence programs and that all organizations receiving funding under the program adopt policies against "prostitution and human trafficking." Democrats also felt that the proposed $30 billion funding level was too low. On his African trip last week, the president called on Congress to renew the program with no changes. "I would ask Congress to listen to leaders on the continent of Africa, analyze what works, stop the squabbling and get the program reauthorized," he said. The agreement will more than triple the size of the program, to $50 billion, and will make slight changes in emphasis on abstinence programs, but contains no other major changes.

In addition to the funding increase, the renewed PEPFAR will include $9 billion for fighting malaria and tuberculosis, supplement food purchases for victims of AIDS, and provide support for women victims and widows of the disease. In exchange for the increase in funding, Democrats backed off demands that the renewed program allow funding for "reproductive health" programs, a term usually applied to programs that provide abortions. The program will allow funding for AIDS testing and treatment at reproductive health centers, but prohibits PEPFAR monies from being used for contraception or abortions.

In the area of abstinence, a controversial method of AIDS prevention, the new program allows countries and organizations receiving PEPFAR funds to spend less than 50% of the funds on abstinence education, however, that must be justified to Congress by the director of the program.

The PEPFAR program is considered by the Bush Administration as one of its signature accomplishments. Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete praised the president for the program and the Administration's efforts in Africa saying, "we know for sure that you, Mr. President, and your administration, have been good friends of our country and have been good friends of Africa." The agreement on renewing the program is the first major legacy item that the Bush Administration has been able to push through Congress. Others, like a renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, are now up for debate.