Louisiana surgeon advocates for Foreign Aid Investment at Capitol Hill meeting
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana taxpayers should be assured that their money is not being 'thrown out the window,' but rather invested in developing countries, said Dr. Charles Caplis, a pediatric surgeon licensed in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Dr. Caplis met with representatives from the ONE Campaign on Capitol Hill, where he advocated for the release of supplies and funding for foreign aid, emphasizing its importance as a doctor, parent, humanitarian, and Louisiana taxpayer.
The ONE Campaign, a nonpartisan advocacy group, works to shape positive foreign policy and foreign assistance programs, with an eye on ensuring taxpayer dollars are used effectively. Dr. Caplis believes these programs not only benefit foreign nations but also serve the best interests of U.S. citizens.
'I believe that with the ONE Campaign being a nonpartisan advocacy group, they help to formulate and encourage positive foreign policy and foreign assistance programs where our taxpayer dollars are going,' said Dr. Caplis.
According to the pediatric surgeon, critical resources like medicines, vaccines, and food are sitting unused on shelves, ready to expire, creating a waste of taxpayer money. He stressed that these supplies could be put to good use in global health initiatives, particularly in developing countries.
'That's a true waste of taxpayer money,' Dr. Caplis said.
As a doctor, Caplis also recognizes the significance of vaccines in international health efforts. He pointed to ongoing programs like GAVI, which helps fight malaria in Africa but has been temporarily paused. He believes that supporting these efforts is not only morally important but also has a practical benefit in preventing disease outbreaks that could affect the U.S.
'By supporting these countries, particularly in outbreaks like malaria, we help keep the direct Louisiana taxpayer safer by not having those diseases come to U.S. soil,' he explained.
Dr. Caplis' remarks come at a time when foreign aid programs face scrutiny and budget cuts. However, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who was also approached for comment, expressed support for foreign aid that provides tangible benefits to people, particularly in nations vulnerable to diseases like malaria.
Senator Cassidy noted that while he agrees with President Donald Trump on the importance of avoiding wasteful spending, he believes foreign aid programs that help people should continue.
'That so-called soft power — how do we go to Africa and benefit the Africans in such a way that when it comes to competing for natural resources that we need, that they have, they look upon the United States as a better partner than they look upon the Chinese, that's just one example,' said Cassidy.
The senator also emphasized that certain foreign programs managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are still running effectively. He expressed confidence that the Trump administration will restore some of the foreign aid programs that had been previously terminated.
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