US State Dept slams Congress for failure to renew anti-AIDS program

By Simon Lewis and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The failure of Congress to reauthorize the main U.S. program aimed at reducing the spread of AIDS sends a message that Washington is “backing down” from its leadership on the issue, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday. A deadline to renew long-term funding for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) passed on Saturday, despite a stop gap deal reached to avoid a partial government shutdown. “In the short term, PEPFAR will be able to continue providing the lifesaving prevention, care, and tre…

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