Congressional Action Preserves Funding for Global Health Initiative Aligned with SDG 3

Report on the Status of PEPFAR Funding in Recent Legislation

A legislative package of spending cuts sent to the President has spared the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a critical global health program directly contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The initial proposal included a significant reduction in the program’s funding, which would have directly impacted progress on SDG Target 3.3, aimed at ending the epidemic of AIDS by 2030.

Details of the Proposed Rescission and Legislative Response

The legislative process involved several key stages that ultimately protected the program’s budget:

• Initial Proposal: The administration’s original rescissions request called for a $400 million cut to PEPFAR, framing it as an effort to eliminate foreign assistance programs deemed wasteful.
• Bipartisan Opposition: In the Senate, the proposed cuts faced objections from both Democrats and Republicans. Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins highlighted the program’s success in saving an estimated 26 million lives, a core achievement for global health targets.
• Reversal of Cuts: Faced with opposition that threatened the passage of the broader spending cuts package, the White House agreed to remove the PEPFAR rescission. White House budget director Russell Vought confirmed that “PEPFAR will not be impacted by the rescissions.”

Impact of PEPFAR on Sustainable Development Goals

The decision to maintain PEPFAR funding acknowledges the program’s significant contributions to multiple SDGs. Its continued operation is vital for global development targets.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: PEPFAR is a primary instrument for achieving Target 3.3 (end the AIDS epidemic). Its success is demonstrated by the 26 million lives saved.
• SDG 3 & SDG 5: Gender Equality: The program has enabled nearly 8 million babies to be born HIV-free to mothers living with HIV. This directly supports Target 3.1 (reduce maternal mortality), Target 3.2 (end preventable deaths of newborns), and Target 5.6 (ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health).
• SDG 1 & SDG 10: No Poverty & Reduced Inequalities: By providing life-saving treatment and support, PEPFAR helps mitigate the economic and social impacts of HIV/AIDS on families and communities, particularly for vulnerable children, thereby contributing to poverty reduction and addressing health-related inequalities.

Broader Implications for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Conflicting Perspectives on Foreign Assistance Cuts

While funding for PEPFAR was preserved, the passage of a $9 billion rescissions package for other foreign aid and public broadcasting programs raises concerns regarding the commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This goal emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and financial commitments to achieve the 2030 Agenda.

• Support for Cuts: Proponents argued the cuts were necessary to align spending with American interests and eliminate wasteful programs.
• Opposition to Cuts: Critics, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, warned that cuts to foreign aid could undermine global stability and US security, running counter to the principles of global partnership outlined in SDG 17.
• Advocate Concerns: Child advocacy groups expressed relief for PEPFAR but noted the larger trend was “not hopeful,” suggesting that the overall reduction in development assistance represents a setback for international cooperation and support for vulnerable populations.

Final Legislative Outcome

The process concluded with the following actions:

1. The revised rescissions package, totaling $9 billion in cuts but excluding PEPFAR, narrowly passed the Senate on a 51-48 vote.
2. The House of Representatives subsequently passed the package.
3. The legislation was sent to the President to be signed into law.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s central theme is the funding for PEPFAR, a “global HIV/AIDS program.” It directly discusses health outcomes, such as saving lives and preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, which are core to SDG 3.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article discusses “foreign aid” and a global program funded by the United States (PEPFAR) to address a global health crisis. The debate over the “rescissions package” and funding for international programs highlights the importance of global partnerships and development assistance, which is the focus of SDG 17.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article specifically mentions that the program has “allowed nearly 8 million babies to be born healthy to mothers living with HIV.” This points to a focus on women’s health and ensuring they have access to services that protect both their health and that of their children, aligning with aspects of SDG 5 concerning women’s health and well-being.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  PEPFAR is a form of foreign assistance that directs resources to countries and populations heavily burdened by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The article mentions the program benefits “children who are orphaned or vulnerable to HIV and AIDS,” highlighting its role in supporting vulnerable groups and reducing health inequalities between nations.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.3: “By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases…” The article is entirely focused on PEPFAR, the “President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief,” a program created specifically to combat the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. The discussion revolves around funding for “HIV/AIDS programs that provide life-saving treatment.”
   • Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…” The article states that PEPFAR has “allowed nearly 8 million babies to be born healthy to mothers living with HIV,” which directly contributes to preventing infant mortality from mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.2: “Developed countries to implement fully their official development assistance commitments…” The article discusses the U.S. government’s “congressionally approved funding for foreign aid” and a debate over a “$9 billion” rescissions package. This directly relates to the commitment of a developed country to provide official development assistance for global programs like PEPFAR.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 3.3 (End the AIDS epidemic):

   • Indicator: Number of lives saved through HIV/AIDS interventions. The article explicitly states that the program is “credited with saving millions of lives,” has “saved an estimated 26 million lives,” and another quote mentions it has “saved 25 million lives.” This is a direct quantitative measure of the program’s impact.
   • Indicator: Access to life-saving treatment. The article mentions that the proposed cuts would have targeted programs that “neither provide life-saving treatment nor support American interests.” This implies that the number of people receiving such treatment is a key metric for the program’s success.

2. For Target 3.2 (End preventable deaths of newborns):

   • Indicator: Number of babies born HIV-free to mothers living with HIV. The article provides a specific figure, stating the program has “allowed nearly 8 million babies to be born healthy to mothers living with HIV.” This serves as a direct indicator of progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission.

3. For Target 17.2 (Official development assistance):

   • Indicator: Amount of Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocated to global health. The article mentions specific financial figures related to foreign aid, such as the proposed “$400 million in cuts to PEPFAR” and the overall “$9 billion” rescissions package for “foreign aid and public broadcasting.” These figures can be used to track the financial commitments to global health partnerships.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nbcnews.com