TOW #19 - Bill Frist: The Case for Keeping America’s AIDS Relief Plan

The HIV/AIDS epidemic hit the world hard in the 1980s; ranking no. 4 in causing the most deaths in the world, and no. 1 in Africa.  Since the 80’s many nations have tried to reduce the prevalence of this disease.  One program, Pepfar, was created by the United States to help other nations, mainly third world ones, with combatting HIV and AIDS.  Bill Frist, who helped pass the plan in 2003, uses his piece to explain the essentiality of this plan and how it should continue to be reauthorized.  By employing hopeful statistics and also refuting questions about Pepfar, Frist reveals to his readers how important Pepfar is to developing countries.

            Pepfar was created after HIV/AIDS started growing in the world, and it was able to help many countries after being put into action.  Frist highlights the beneficial effects of the plan by using statistics that induce hope in readers.  More specifically, Pepfar “reached 11.5 million people with antiretroviral drugs” and “Two million babies with infected mother have been born H.I.V.-free” (3).  The huge amount of people being aided emphasizes how influential Pepfar is.  In addition, by mentioning innocent children who could have been affected by the disease but weren’t, readers feel emotion for babies that could die from HIV/AIDS.  For many developing countries, Pepfar can be the only hope for people infected.  In addition to inspiring statistics, Frist also refutes what many people may think is wrong with Pepfar.  Some official worry that Pepfar may not be worth the investment when there are many security concerns in Africa, and Frist agrees.  But he also mentions how “Pepfar has helped Stabilize much of Africa” (8).  In addition to that “from 2004 to 2013, political instability and violence fell by 40 percent in countries that received Pepfar assistance versus just 3 percent in similar countries that did not” (9).  Refuting what many people think strengthens the fact that Pepfar may seem risky, but in the end it is beneficial to countries that truly need help.

            Frist using both hopeful statistics and refuting arguments allow readers to see how essential Pepfar is to countries and the people living in them.  By saving babies born by infected mothers and decreasing instability in countries, Pepfar is far more influential than one may think.  Frist uses his piece not only to reveal Pepfar’s importance, but also reveals how countries with the means to help others should do everything they can to help third world countries.  When countries come together for a common cause, they are far more beneficial to the world than when countries are apart.