By Stacie Murphy
Read op-ed
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Victories in FY 2009 Omnibus appropriations bill
By Stacie Murphy
The legislation provides a total of $545 million for international family programs - an increase of more than $80 million from the 2008 level. Included in this total is $50 million for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its work to improve reproductive health, raise the status of women and improve the quality, safety and availability of contraceptives in nearly 150 countries. This significant increase in funding for international family planning and the strong show of support for UNFPA mark a significant reversal in a long term trend of declining support for these programs. The increased investment in the bill represents an important first step toward meeting the current unmet need, and will help improve the health of women and children, reduce the strain on overtaxed resources, and build strong, stable societies.
In addition, we are also pleased to report several other provisions included in the package:
The legislation provides a total of $545 million for international family programs - an increase of more than $80 million from the 2008 level. Included in this total is $50 million for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and its work to improve reproductive health, raise the status of women and improve the quality, safety and availability of contraceptives in nearly 150 countries. This significant increase in funding for international family planning and the strong show of support for UNFPA mark a significant reversal in a long term trend of declining support for these programs. The increased investment in the bill represents an important first step toward meeting the current unmet need, and will help improve the health of women and children, reduce the strain on overtaxed resources, and build strong, stable societies.
In addition, we are also pleased to report several other provisions included in the package:
- a $7.5 million increase for the Title X (ten) program that provides low income American women and families with subsidized contraceptives and reproductive health services;
- a provision allowing university health centers and other safety-net providers to obtain prescription birth control from manufacturers at a lower cost, creating easier access to contraception for an underserved group of women; and,
- a $14 million funding cut to Community Based Abstinence Education (CBAE), a program that denies young people the information they need to make responsible decisions and has been shown to be ineffective and inaccurate. While we would have preferred that funding for this program be eliminated entirely, the cut approved by the House is a step in the right direction.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Attempt to Restore Global Gag Rule Rejected
By Stacie Murphy
The measure, which was defeated 60-37, came in the form of an amendment offered by Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) as the Senate debated a proposed expansion to the program.
Click here to see how your senators voted.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Statement by Population Connection on the Elimination of the Global Gag Rule
By Brian Dixon
The President's decision today offers new hope to hundreds of millions of women and families around the world. As of today, the United States government will be able to provide funding to some of the most experienced and effective family planning providers in the developing world—many of which had been disqualified from receiving assistance under the Global Gag Rule.
This action is a critical step in restoring America's image around the world as a leader in reproductive health and family planning. It offers desperately needed aid to families that are struggling to address their most basic needs. And it will help the world address the ongoing challenges of population growth.
The elimination of the Global Gag Rule alone will not solve the problems associated with a rapidly growing population: resource insecurity, social instability, and maternal and child death. To confront these and other problems, the United States must commit to a return to real investment in international family planning. We strongly urge President Obama to take that next step by calling for a significant funding increase in the budget he presents to Congress in the coming weeks and by renewing American assistance to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The President's decision today offers new hope to hundreds of millions of women and families around the world. As of today, the United States government will be able to provide funding to some of the most experienced and effective family planning providers in the developing world—many of which had been disqualified from receiving assistance under the Global Gag Rule.
This action is a critical step in restoring America's image around the world as a leader in reproductive health and family planning. It offers desperately needed aid to families that are struggling to address their most basic needs. And it will help the world address the ongoing challenges of population growth.
The elimination of the Global Gag Rule alone will not solve the problems associated with a rapidly growing population: resource insecurity, social instability, and maternal and child death. To confront these and other problems, the United States must commit to a return to real investment in international family planning. We strongly urge President Obama to take that next step by calling for a significant funding increase in the budget he presents to Congress in the coming weeks and by renewing American assistance to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
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