March 23, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chris Collins, President of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Friends), released the following statement today regarding the passage of the FY 2018 budget by Congress:
“Friends is grateful to global health champions on Capitol Hill for sustaining funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other global health accounts in the FY 2018 appropriations bill. Senators Graham and Leahy, as well as Representatives Rogers and Lowey stood up once again for American leadership in global health. FY 2018 funding for these programs will result in millions fewer deaths and new infections, benefiting people across the globe. Friends greatly appreciates the continued strong, bipartisan Congressional support for the Global Fund. By not stalling on the progress we’ve seen, we can focus on ending the AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria epidemics for good while bolstering the prosperity and health security of Americans here at home.”
Friends’ Board Chair, co-founder and Chairman of Getty Images, Jonathan Klein, also released this statement regarding the passage of the FY 2018 budget:
“Congress has found a bipartisan solution for humanitarian aid that also spurs economic growth and upholds America’s legacy as a leader in global health. Major cuts to global health and the Global Fund would have had very real, devastating results, but Congressional leaders voted to keep our foot on the pedal and steer the world toward a healthier future. The strong U.S. commitment to the Global Fund and our own bilateral health programs will continue to save lives and open the American economy to more opportunities in the years to come.”
The Global Fund’s statement thanking Congress is available here.
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About Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria advocates for U.S. support of the Global Fund, and the goal to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.theglobalfight.org.
Media Contact:
Katie Broendel, [email protected]
202.912.3833