Recent news
September 2011
Berman releases proposal to reform US foreign aid that includes global health priorities
September 13, 2011 -- Last week, Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), ranking member on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, released a proposal to reform and modernize US foreign assistance programs. Berman’s proposal seeks to replace the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. It was released as a discussion draft of The Global Partnerships Act of 2011 in order to promote dialogue on foreign aid between members of Congress before it gets drafted as a bill. The proposal includes several initiatives that emphasize a need to support global health research and innovation.
In this tough budget environment, Berman is urging his colleagues to adopt this proposal that focuses on addressing 21st century challenges with greater efficiency, efficacy and accountability.
“After 50 years, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is in desperate need of reform,” said Congressman Berman in a press release. “It could be easy for some to look at Foreign Assistance, particularly in these tough economic times, and advocate for indiscriminate cuts instead of responsible reform. But cutting blindly, without fixing the underlying problems, will only make things worse.”
The proposal contains many important initiatives for global health including: support for US businesses contributing to foreign aid through public-private partnerships; increased funding for innovation; support for “the role of research and innovation”; and support, and leverage private funding for, “research and development of new technologies, products, and practices to advance global health.”
