Via Y’all Politics I learn that, thanks in part to one of Mississippi’s representatives to the United States Senate, something called the “Senate Malaria Working Group” will become a Congressional caucus. 

Wicker announces expansion of the Senate Malaria Working Group

PRESS RELEASE

Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases will highlight prevalent global diseases

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced on Thursday the expansion of the Senate Malaria Working Group, which they co-chair, to become a Congressional caucus that will focus on efforts to stem the global tide of 17 neglected tropical diseases including malaria.

Senator Coons formally announced the Senate Caucus on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at a reception hosted by the United States Agency for International Development on Wednesday evening.

“Malaria and other neglected tropical diseases continue to wreak havoc on the lives and economies of numerous countries around the world,” Senator Coons said. “Malaria and the seven most common neglected tropical diseases cause nearly two million deaths globally each year. Malaria alone causes more than $12 billion in lost productivity, and costs many African nations more than 40 percent of their health care budget. There have been a number of inroads made to combat these diseases in recent years, thanks largely to global efforts led by the United States. I am proud to join Senator Wicker in underscoring our commitment for this issue and continuing to support U.S. efforts to prevent the spread of all tropical diseases.”

“These diseases strike the most vulnerable around the world at a staggering rate,” Senator Wicker said. “Many Americans who travel to affected regions, including our troops serving overseas, have been afflicted. Great strides have been made to increase prevention and improve treatment options for malaria and other tropical diseases, but much work remains. Raising awareness for efforts to address these diseases is critical to eliminating their terrible threat.”

Malaria, an infectious blood disease spread by mosquitoes, is most prevalent in the developing world, with 90 percent of deaths occurring in Africa. The majority of those killed are pregnant women and children under five years old. The 17 neglected tropical diseases impact more than one billion people, including 500 million children in the world’s poorest countries.

Senator Wicker, an original co-chair of the Working Group on Malaria, serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Senator Coons is the chair of Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs and joined Senator Wicker as co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Working Group on Malaria in March 2011.

9/21/12

[my emphases]

Where to begin? Naturally with the obvious caveat that I am not a heartless person. And skipping ahead, with the conclusion that this is not a proper function of the Federal Government. I just checked and I didn’t see any mention of “[r]aising awareness for efforts to address … diseases” in Article I, Section 8 of The Constitution of the United States.

And now for the middle.  

Neglect: to pay no attention or too little attention to; disregard or slight (dictionary dot com)

How can something that has the attention of the Senate of The United States of America be said to be neglected?

Reception: We had a pork chop casserole for supper Wednesday evening.

 
United States Agency for International Development:

WHO WE ARE
The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand to people overseas struggling to make a better life. It is a history that both reflects the American people’s compassion and support of human dignity as well as advances U.S. foreign policy interests.

In order to support these goals, President John. F. Kennedy created the United States Agency for International Development by executive order in 1961… .

[snip]

Spending less than 1 percent of the total federal budget, … .

 How can this be? There hasn’t been a federal budget for three years!

“Many Americans who travel to affected regions, including our troops serving overseas, have been afflicted:” How many of our troops contract malaria or any other “neglected” tropical diseases? It’s a legitimate question if you use them as a premise in an argument that the Federal Government of The United States has a role in stemming the “global tide” of these diseases.

The majority of those killed are pregnant women and children under five years old: Silly me. I shouldn’t be so cynical. It’s for the children.