Bill Gates, billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder, and his wife, Melinda, recently expressed their concerns about proposed budget cuts for federal global aid funding, reports The Washington Post.
Here are five things to know.
1. The couple aired their concerns during separate interviews earlier this month.
2. Their concerns come as the White House has proposed reducing global aid in public health areas such as infectious diseases and family planning, according to the report.
3. The couple indicated they believe these proposed cuts could have various negative effects. For instance, they said the "mood of retrenchment" could possibly lead to another increase in HIV rates, an increase in child mortality and, for some areas, a lack of access to contraceptives for women, reports The Washington Post.
4. "No one can fill in that kind of money," Ms. Gates told the publication. "And it's a loss of U.S. leadership. People are saying, 'Well, what is it that U.S. stands for? What are your values? You've always believed in the past in helping other countries come along, come out of poverty.'"
5. In light of their concerns, the couple will launch a campaign this month highlighting the potential negative effects of the proposed cuts, the report states.
Read the full report here.