Overview

• The Trump administration has dismantled USAID, cutting 90% of its foreign aid contracts and freezing billions in funding for global health programs.
• Bill Gates has personally met with lawmakers and National Security Council officials to advocate for continued U.S. support for initiatives like Gavi and the Global Fund.
• Gates emphasized that the Gates Foundation, with its $8-9 billion annual budget, cannot fill the funding gaps left by U.S. government cuts.
• Public health experts warn that reduced U.S. funding could lead to increased deaths from diseases like malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, reversing years of progress.
• The cuts align with the administration’s 'America First' policy, prioritizing domestic programs over international assistance, despite potential global health risks.