Lawrence Gostin:
Yes, I actually think that’s wrong, but not completely wrong.
Let me explain. The WHO’s budget is about one-fourth that of the US CDC. In other words, despite being a global institution, it is chronically underfunded. We don’t have the resilience or funding needed to put out the fires around the world. Therefore, the US should not pay less, but other countries should pay more.
China, India, the Gulf states and many other middle-income countries should do so. So I think Mr. Trump would do more good for the United States and the world if he stayed in office and negotiated the deal. Yes, let’s make WHO resilient. Raise funds better. Make your organization stronger and increase accountability with financial oversight.
However, if left unaddressed, it will seriously harm U.S. national interests and global health. It’s actually different than a border where you can close the Mexican border to stop immigration. Bacteria have no borders. And an America without the WHO would be an isolated, isolated, weaker and more vulnerable America.
