“The announcement by the French government to prioritize global health research and development is an important step toward making sure life-saving drugs and medical tools are developed and delivered to the people who need them most. We call on additional governments to set up similar financial transaction taxes and to follow the French government’s move to dedicate a portion of the revenue to respond to neglected health needs. Every day in our work, we witness firsthand the failures of today’s health research and development system that does not deliver adequately for people in developing countries.”
—Sophie Delaunay, Executive Director, MSF-USA, in response to the French government’s announcement that a portion of the financial transaction tax they have decided to implement will be dedicated to global health research and development.
The announcement was made by Fabienne Bartoli, Social Development Counselor at the French Mission to the United Nations at the MSF/Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative conference on R&D for neglected populations in New York, December 13, 2012.
“The U.S. Robin Hood Tax Campaign today applauded the introduction in Congress of a bill that would impose a tax on Wall Street speculation. Introduced by Rep. Keith Ellison, HR 6411, the Inclusive Prosperity Act, would raise up to $350 billion in annual revenues that would be used to breathe new life into Main Street communities across America, as well as international health, sustainable prosperity and environmental programs. The legislation embodies the Robin Hood Tax, a 0.5% tax on the trading of stocks, 50 cents on every $100 of trades, and lesser rates on trading in bonds, derivatives and currencies. It marks the return of a sales tax on financial transactions in place from 1914 to 1966 and targets the high-risk, high-speed trading that dominates the markets.”
—Robin Hood Tax Bill Introduced In Congress“We’ve seen through our work how key health interventions can change lives, as well as the trajectory of pressing health needs. It’s time global health got its bailout.”
—Dr. Tido von Schoen-Angerer, executive director at MSF’s Access Campaign, in the MSF press release calling on G20 leaders to bail out global health with a financial transaction tax.
“With governments scaling back foreign aid, there is no excuse not to allocate part of the funds raised from a financial transaction tax to health needs in developing countries. A financial transaction tax would give us the predictable and sustainable funding source that is needed now more than ever. There are funding gaps across global health that could be plugged with money from a financial transaction tax. It’s time to invest in real lives—real futures.”
—Sharonann Lynch, HIV/AIDS policy adviser for MSF’s Access Campaign, in the press release calling on G20 leaders to bail out global health with a financial transaction tax.
{ facing the truth|| kendall and carlos }
To say the least, the night before had been pretty eventful, and in most ways in the worst way possible in Carlos’ eyes. After kissing Victoria and finding out he was going to be a father to twins, he was terrified. Having already made plans to hangout with Kendall that afternoon, Carlos had to get some things off his chest, and he knew Kendall would listen to him, or atleast try to understand where he was coming from. they decided to meet up at Starbucks, though leaving more earlier than they had originally planned. Already ready to leave, Carlos grabbed his phone and his wallet, even though Kendall said he’d pay, but just to make sure. Walking out the front door, Carlos headed to his car door, opening it before climbing inside, sighing heavily as he started up his car. Starting the engine, Carlos began driving to Starbucks in alittle more than a few minutes. He didn’t really know his way around the neighborhood yet, so his sense of direction wasn’t as good as he thought. Finally making it into the parking lot, Carlos then got out of his car, heading to the entrance and finding an empty table to sit down at while waiting for Kendall.
