Letter: Program for AIDS relief — created by George W. Bush — is too essential to expire
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah AIDS Foundation in Salt Lake City, pictured on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Given the current climate in Congress and Washington, D.C., you’d be tempted to believe our lawmakers are unable to agree on anything. But that’s not true.
Twenty years ago, President George W. Bush created the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, otherwise known as PEPFAR, with strong bipartisan support.
Since then, it has saved 25 million lives and allowed 5.5 million babies to be born HIV free who otherwise would have been infected.
This is a stunning success by any measure, but if PEPFAR is not reauthorized, too many lives will be at risk.
As a Christian, I believe that every human being has immeasurable value, and that every child in the world deserves a chance to live and thrive.
Sen. Mitt Romney, please support reauthorizing this life-saving program.
The Rev. Chris Pritchett, Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church, Salt Lake City
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