Fighting pandemic disease

In response to “FDA approves TB pill that cures more hard-to treat patients,” Aug. 14:

Great news in the battle against difficult to treat strains of the No. 1 infectious killer: tuberculosis. This new medicine will likely be used by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the world’s front line champion in the battle against these pandemics that kill nearly 3 million a year.

In fact, the Global Fund has saved 27 million lives since its founding in 2002, with plans to save 16 million more over the next three years. No wonder Washington state’s entire congressional delegation signed a letter to the president three years ago requesting full funding, and this year the House has already put an increase in its budget for the Global Fund.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ office was very supportive of the Global Fund when I talked with them about it in Washington, D.C., last month. Our calls and letters thanking them for this and requesting they follow through when the Senate and the House create a new budget will make a difference. Meantime, co-sponsoring House Resolution 517 will show continued support and help encourage other donors to put in two-thirds of the money needed for this life-saving work.

Willie Dickerson

Snohomish, Wash.