Washington, DC (March 12, 2019) — Yesterday the Trump administration released its proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 that contains an over 20 percent decrease in the foreign affairs budget, including a 28 percent cut to global health programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Department of State. Cuts were also proposed for programs at the Department of Health and Human Services that support global health, including global health research and development and global health security. These proposed cuts undermine the leadership role the United States has played in global health and development, and could potentially roll back major milestones achieved in the field thus far.
“The Trump administration continues to jeopardize the long-term impact that U.S. investments in foreign assistance and global health programs have had on millions of lives around the world,” stated Loyce Pace, President and Executive Director of Global Health Council. “Global health programs that fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and polio; improve maternal and child health; and strengthen global responses to disease outbreaks such as Zika and Ebola, bolstered by U.S. investments in food security, education, and WASH, help build stronger, more self-reliant communities. Failing to adequately support these programs puts at risk the gains made this century.”
Ms. Pace and the leaders of several Global Health Council members will testify today at 10:00 AM EST before the House Appropriations subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs on the need to sustain funding for these critical programs for FY 2020.
For the past two years, Congress has rejected President Trump’s foreign affairs budget. Global Health Council calls on Congress to do the same this year and further urges them to continue funding global health and development programs in the International Affairs account. Maintaining critical accounts that support health, WASH, education, nutrition, and gender programs, as well as humanitarian responses, ultimately strengthens U.S. leadership around the world and fosters a safer, more prosperous America.
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Established in 1972, Global Health Council (GHC) is the leading membership organization supporting and connecting advocates, implementers, and stakeholders around global health priorities worldwide. GHC represents the collaborative voice of the community on key issues; we convene stakeholders around key priorities and actively engage with decision makers to influence global health policy. Learn more at www.globalhealth.org. In 2019, GHC published, A Guide to U.S. Investments in Global Health: Transforming Communities Worldwide, a comprehensive resource that contains nearly 20 global health issue briefs and consensus recommendations. You can access the briefing book at www.ghbb.globalhealth.org.
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Media Contact
Elizabeth Kohlway, Senior Manager, External Affairs
Global Health Council
(703) 717-5283
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