Statement on Global Health Funding in the American Rescue Plan Act

March 11, 2021

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation commends the inclusion of critical global health, humanitarian, and development funding in the COVID relief bill (H.R. 1319 American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) passed by Congress and signed by President Biden today. We thank Congressional leadership, as well as committee chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Budget Committees, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and House and Senate Appropriations Committees for their attention to these vital programs.

These dedicated resources through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and other multilateral institutions are an important first step in mitigating the devastating impact of COVID-19 on fragile health systems already combatting multiple epidemics. Past U.S. investments in global health have led to transformational progress towards ending HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, and improving maternal and child health. By leveraging existing platforms, we can promptly respond to the deep disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, support vaccine rollout in low-and middle-income countries, and avoid losing precious ground in the fight to end AIDS.