U.S. could be doing more for world's poor, say bishops

In session
April 2002

Affordable housing may join welfare reform
Campaign finance reform finally becomes law, faces new challenge
Farm bill hits new roadblocks, finds new scandal
On the slippery slope to "Fast Track" FTAA
U.S. bishops call for prohibition of human cloning
U.S. could be doing more for world's poor, say bishops

U.S. could be doing more for world's poor, say bishops
The United States bishops urge Congress to add $1 billion to $1.5 billion to global health and poverty relief funds. Impoverished countries lose millions of people each year to curable or preventable diseases like tuberculosis. Every year in Africa alone, 1.6 million die of tuberculosis and malaria. As of 2000, over 12 million children in Africa were orphans.

The bishops say U.S. contributions to global aid funds are inadequate considering our relative wealth. What's more, U.S. policy frequently sets the stage for other countries to follow suit. If the U.S. sets a low standard of giving, other countries may not feel the need to contribute at an adequate level.

Last year, the U.S contributed $1 billion to global health initiatives, $200 million of which went to the United Nations Global Health Fund for HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. President Bush's 2002 budget includes under $900 million for AIDS programs, including the $200 million for the U.N. fund. USCCB estimates that, based on the U.S. share of the world economy, it should be contributing between $2.5 and $3.75 billion. USCCB points out that the U.S. spent about $8 billion on foreign military assistance last year, serving political and security purposes.

According to the USCCB Office of Social Development and World Peace, relieving global debt will be an important factor in relieving health concerns, as money that goes to pay interest on debt could be used for medical aid. USCCB suggests that debt service payments be limited to 5 percent of government revenues for countries with a health crisis.

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2069 which provides for $1.36 billion in global health aid. $750 million would be earmarked for the U.N. Global Health Fund. The Senate has yet to consider a similar bill.

USCCB suggests that concerned citizens contact their Senators to advocate for the passage of a global health bill that would allocate even more funds to health aid and limit debt service payments.—Tara Dix

For more information:
USCCB issue briefing
Notre Dame Global Health Initiative
World Economic Forum

Back to page top