Like Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, medical specialists have joined the growing line of bankers, insurers and carmakers rushing to Washington to plead for “more”. But their request for fresh federal funding in the downturn deserves a special hearing above the clamour.

Where many groups are seeking bail-outs to cover their own past failings, the Institute of Medicine’s call to Barack Obama, president-elect, to double annual spending on global health to $15bn by 2012 is less selfish. It also dovetails with his desire to emphasise soft power, prevent conflict and support failing states.