The World Health Organization -- under attack by Trump -- was targeted by conservatives in 1948, too
During its creation in 1948, the World Health Organization faced attacks from American conservatives, just as it has become a target for President Trump amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Back then, some Republicans suspected the WHO would be influenced by the Soviet Union, already a charter member.
-snip-
Talk of forming an international health group began after World War II. The declared purpose was to combat diseases such as cholera and malaria, to promote medical research, and to advise governments on sanitation, nutrition and other health measures. It began in Geneva on interim basis in 1946. But to become operational, the WHO had to be ratified by 26 nations by June of 1948.
In March of 1947, President Harry S. Truman asked Congress to approve the United States joining the new health organization. “I am sure it will make a substantial contribution to the improvement of world health through the years,” Truman said.
The House and Senate introduced measures to provide $1.9 million a year to the WHO, or $20.6 million in current dollars. The Senate passed the bill and so did the House Foreign Relations Committee. Then without explanation the House Rules Committee blocked the bill for nearly a year.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/04/19/who-conservatives-trump-history/
= new reply since forum marked as read
