Senator Barbara Boxer letter re: introduction of the International Tuberculosis Control Act of 2002

May 2002

Dear Friend:

I recently joined my colleague, Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon), in introducing the International Tuberculosis Control Act of 2002 to continue the fight against a disease that kills 2 million people each year. Our legislation will help combat TB by increasing funding for the United States Agency for International Development to continue its successful international effort to combat the disease.

The Los Angeles Times has endorsed our bill, noting that it is a healthy antidote to a Bush Administration proposal that would actually reduce TB and malaria funding by one-third next year. . . . Now is not the time for such a reduction.

Our legislation would:

1. Authorize $200 million for USAID for the fight against TB for each of the next three years, 2. Set a goal to detect 70 percent of current tuberculosis cases, and to cure 85 percent of detected cases by the end of 2005; and 3. Mandate that 75 percent of funds be used to support the World Health Organizations recommended strategy for treating tuberculosis, known as Directly Observed Treatment Short-course or DOTS.

Almost half of all cases of TB in the United States originate from abroad. In 2000, there were 3,297 reported cases in California alone. TB is an airborne, contagious disease that knows no borders. Public health experts agree that if we are going to stop TB from resurging in our own backyard, we must take the necessary steps to control the disease around the world.

Senator Smith and I have led the fight to end TB and have secured funding to fight TB on the frontlines. We will continue our fight against this highly contagious and dangerous disease. Please contact me if you have thoughts on this or any other federal issue.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer

United States Senator

===================================================