Country music stars are banding together to urge U.S. Congress to continue funding the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program that has saved 26 million lives globally since its launch in 2003.
A letter signed by over 20 artists, including Brad Paisley, Maren Morris, and Sheryl Crow, calls on Congress to ensure continued funding for PEPFAR. The bipartisan initiative has provided life-saving antiretroviral medications to more than 20 million people worldwide, making it one of the most successful U.S. foreign aid programs in history.
The artists warn that if funding for PEPFAR is cut, millions will die from HIV/AIDS and the epidemic will spread globally. “This isn’t just the smart thing to do – for national security, economic, and public health reasons,” they say. “It’s the right thing to do.”
Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Dr. Bill Frist also weighed in on the issue, stating that PEPFAR is a testament to American exceptionalism and compassion. He urged Congress not to abandon this historic commitment to those less fortunate.
Fans can show their support by visiting ONE.org to send letters of advocacy to Congress. The campaign aims to bring an end to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030, and country music stars are using their platforms to raise awareness and demand action.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/country-stars-urge-congress-renew-061716781.html