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Global Health

I have long felt that far more needs to be done to increase funding to improve health care in poor countries. In an increasingly interdependent world, reducing the threats of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, and the social and economic consequences of illness, is a key to our own security and prosperity.
International health programs also help to combat the spread of biological agents, such as anthrax, that are used in acts of terrorism. These programs strengthen the public health capacity in developing countries to conduct surveillance and respond to disease outbreaks that today are only an airplane trip away from many U.S. airports.

As Chairman of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, I launched an initiative in 1997 to dramatically increase funding for programs to combat infectious diseases. So far it has resulted in an additional hundreds of millions of dollars for these activities. I have also sought to increase funding for other health programs such as immunizations for children and women's reproductive health.

● Comment of Sen. Patrick Leahy On The President’s Request For $3.2 B. In Global HIV/AIDS Funding January 27, 2005

● Remarks Of Senator Patrick Leahy at Presentation Of The Jonathan Mann Award Global Health Council Conference June 3, 2004

● Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy Foreign Operations Subcommittee Global HIV/AIDS Appropriations For FY2005 May 18, 2004

● Senate Passes Bipartisan DeWine-Leahy Budget Amendment Directing More Funds To Curb Global Spread Of Infectious Diseases March 12, 2004

● Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Amendment To Increase Funding For Global Health Programs March 12, 2004

● Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On Byrd AIDS Amendment To The Defense Appropriations Bill July 16, 2003

● Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy On The Bingaman Amendment On HIV / AIDS July 10, 2003

● Statement Of Patrick Leahy On Global Heath And The President's Budget May 23, 2003

● Statement Of Senator Patrick Leahy President Bush's Budget Slashes Global Health Efforts May 23, 2003

● Senate Floor Speech of Senator Patrick Leahy: We Need A Plan To Stop AIDS November 19, 2002

● Comments Of Senator Patrick Leahy, Chairman, Senate Foreign Operations Subcommittee, On The Administration’s Denial Of International Family Planning Funds July 22, 2002