US AIDS relief program gets one-year extension in spending bill

America’s flagship program to fight HIV/AIDS overseas was put on hold for a year in the spending bill, pausing an unusual partisan fight over the initiative.

The one-year extension of PEPFAR, the president’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, would keep funding flat until March 2025, but it would also not impose anti-abortion restrictions sought by conservatives.

PEPFAR is credited with saving 25 million lives since it was established by then-President George W. Bush in 2003, and typically enjoys bipartisan support. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful global health programs in U.S. history. This is the first time the program has been reauthorized in less than five years.

President Bush has lobbied to save the plan, and a Washington Post op-ed last fall said the U.S. would be rolling back “two decades of unimaginable progress” and making further statements about the value of America’s word. He warned of the risk of raising questions.

But outside conservative groups and Republican lawmakers began targeting the program last year over concerns that it would send money to abortion groups. Even though U.S. law prohibits U.S. foreign aid, including PEPFAR funds, from being used for abortions, Republicans held off on renewal for months, allowing several key provisions of the program to expire last fall. Admitted.

They had called for the reinstatement of the so-called Mexico City Policy, enacted by former President Trump, which blocks federal funding to nongovernmental organizations that perform abortions and provide abortion counseling and referrals.

Postponing the PEPFAR fight until next year will keep it out of election-year politics, but the abortion issue is unlikely to go away. The program also applies to a potential incoming Trump administration, which is likely to quickly reinstate previous restrictions.

Advocacy groups said they are glad the program has been renewed, even if it is only for one year.

“I think it sends a very important signal to our partners that the United States is still committed to this fight,” said Katie Koster, associate director of public policy and advocacy at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. ” he said.

“I’m grateful that Congressional leaders came together and got us a short-term extension of the expired provisions. I’m really happy about that, but I still feel like…at this point, it’s still unfulfilled. “There are,” Koester said.