For Immediate Release:	February 19, 2003
For More Information:	David Bryden, Global AIDS Alliance, dbryden@globalaidsalliance.org, 301.699-2065 or cell 202.549.3664
Sponsor Organization:	Global AIDS Alliance
Global AIDS Alliance Decries New Restrictions on Global AIDS Funding
Washington (Feb 19) - The Bush Administration is preparing to announce new restrictions on global AIDS programs that would severely undermine their effectiveness. The President is considering a requirement that all foreign NGOs certify, as a condition of receiving US funds, that they neither perform nor promote abortion as a method of family planning. According to a leaked State Department memorandum, the plan will exempt from the restrictions those foreign non-governmental organizations which, while either performing or counseling abortions, maintain HIV/AIDS projects that are separately administered. This exemption policy is unworkable because in the vast majority of African settings family planning and reproductive health services are typically combined with HIV/AIDS services, This practice is more cost-effective and best meets the needs of women. “In his State of the Union Address, the President Bush rightly termed AIDS a global emergency,” noted Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance, a non-partisan advocacy group. “Yet, even with the planned exemptions, these restrictions will hamper the rapid expansion of global AIDS programs. Plus, the President will mire the funding bills needed for global AIDS programs, including for his own initiative, in the politics of abortion, leading to further delay.” Even in this modified form, this is the first time any US Administration has applied the “Mexico City Policy” restrictions to HIV/AIDS programs since President Reagan introduced these restrictions for family planning programs in 1984. “It is ludicrous to expect that organizations in Africa can or should establish separate HIV/AIDS programs in order to receive US funds,” stated Dr. Zeitz. “From a public health perspective, the best approach is to fully integrate AIDS programs into family planning programs, not separate them. Even in this modified form, the restrictions represent a Washington-imposed mandate that’s unrealistic and costly in the African context.” “We call on President Bush to not allow his compelling vision of an emergency response to AIDS fall into the hands of ‘pro-life’ ideologues or bean counters at the Office of Management and Budget. Let’s focus on providing emergency funding this fiscal year for AIDS programs that are up and running, including the Global Fund, rather than wasting precious time on an ideological policy that will directly hurt the people needing services in Africa and other regions.”