Politics, Legislation
- less than a tube of toothpaste on
international population assistance.
National Audubon Society
-
More money is spent on cosmetic sales in the United States than is needed to provide prenatal and reproductive care for all the world's women.
Dr. Arsenio Rodriguez speaking at Elon College, March 8, 2001 ... News & Record (Greensboro, NC)
United Nations International Conference on Population and
Development
(ICPD) September 1994, Cairo, Egypt
(Click here for a record of that conference.)
Delegates from 179 nations and thousands of non-governmental organizations
met and came
to a consensus on an historic shift in policies to address rapid population
growth. The
agreed-upon Programme of Action was a departure from setting demographic
targets, adopting instead a 20-year plan focused on
- Empowering women and girls in the economic, political, and social arenas
- Removing gender disparities in education
- Integrating family planning with related efforts to improve maternal and child health
- Increasing efforts to prevent HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases
- Increasing financial and human resources commitments
- Strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors in implementing these goals.
The Cairo conference put an end to the concept of "population control." Smaller families and slower population growth depend not on "control" but on free choice - the idea, borne out by 30 years of experience, that most women, given the choice, will have fewer children than their mothers did. UNPFA 1999
Did you know...? Since its inception in 1969, the UNFPA has never performed an abortion and does not support or fund any abortion services. Emergency Coalition for U.S. Financial Support of the United Nations
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To put the record straight regarding the United Nations Population Fund and
abortion, UNFPA does not support abortion services or information anywhere,
nor do we provide equipment for performing abortions. The reproductive
health and safe motherhood kits provided in Kosovo contain only standard
equipment, including vacuum aspirators, which are used to help in delivery.
Women do not want to have abortions; they want not to be pregnant. Every
rational observer agrees that helping women avoid unwanted pregnancy is the
most effective way to fight abortion. That is what UNFPA does.
The human right to choose the size and spacing of the family has been
recognized internationally since 1968. Persistent misrepresentation of our
work by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and his supporters only puts back the day
when all women can exercise this right.
Alex Marshall Aug 14, 1999 .. Letter to the Editor, Washington Post
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The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) Factsheet
Cairo is very unusual in that there are 180 countries and a very complex and, indeed, sensitive topic that reached a level of agreement that many people would have thought impossible just 6 years ago. ... USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Gillespie
March 99 PCI During the past year, supporters of the Cairo consensus have recognized that the subsequent plans of action created at the 1995 World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen; at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing; at the 1996 Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) in Istanbul; and at the 1996 World Food Summit in Rome, all reinforce (and sometimes expand upon) the objectives set in Cairo. Mindful of these developments, the Secretary General's report is likely to acknowledge these initiatives, while concentrating on the goals and objectives agreed upon in Cairo.
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THE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Secretary General will recommend: * Investing more resources and research on conditions among older persons, and creating opportunities for those over 60 to contribute their skills both to the workforce and to community service "to help foster intergenerational solidarity and enhance the stability of society." * Intensifying and safeguarding the basic human rights of migrants and preventing international trafficking in migrants, "in particular women and children sold for the purposes of sexual exploitation." * Continuing support for reducing infant and child mortality rates, backed by studies to demonstrate the potential benefits to be derived from "the relatively modest funding level required for the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action." * Enacting legislative and administrative measures to promote balanced patterns of consumption and production, with increased dialogue to draw attention to and "promote linkages between macroeconomic policies and social policies...with a better understanding of the relationships between population, poverty, the environment, resources and development." * Recognizing and protecting the human rights of women and girls, including economic, social and reproductive rights, through the development and "effective enforcement of gender-sensitive policies and legislation." * Achieving full participation of women in decision-making processes and for "zero tolerance for all forms of violence against women, including genital mutilation, rape, incest, sexual violence, sex trafficking. The girl child should be protected, particularly from harmful traditional practices, and her access to health, education and life opportunities should be promoted." * Supporting and enhancing the role of the family, "and especially of fathers, in safeguarding the well-being of girls." * Taking urgent action at the highest political levels of government to prevent HIV transmission, by ensuring that prevention of and services for HIV/AIDS and other STDs are an "integral component of reproductive health programs at the primary heath care level." * Ensuring wide provision of and access to female and male condoms through social marketing and the promotion of safer sexual behavior, mutual respect and gender equality in sexual relationships. * Increasing private and public sector investments in research on microbicides, simple and inexpensive diagnostic tests, single-dose treatments for STDs, vaccine development, and the "negotiation of special prices for HIV drugs for developing countries."
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July 5, 1999 The Special Session added new measures. Where abortion is legal, the document urges governments to "train and equip health-service providers and take other measures to insure that abortion is safe and accessible." The Cairo plan had only called for abortion to be "safe" in countries where it is legal, not specifying access or quality of care. The document calls for school children at all levels to be instructed in "sexual and reproductive health issues" in order to teach them "responsible sexual behavior" and protect them from "unwanted pregnancy" and sexually transmitted diseases. In these and other recommendations, governments are urged to respect "the rights, duties and responsibilities of parents" as well as "cultural values and religious beliefs." They should also "safeguard the right of adolescents to privacy, confidentiality and informed consent" in all such programs.
The negotiations on HIV/AIDS focused on a new recognition of the impact of the pandemic. The ICPD+5 document sets new targets for reducing the infection's spread, specifying that by 2005, governments should insure that at least 90% of adolescents have access to "the information, education and services necessary to develop the life skills required to reduce their vulnerability" to the disease. This figure is raised to 95% by 2010. By 2005, governments are also urged to aim for a 25% reduction in the number of young people newly infected, with this becoming a universal target for all countries by 2010.
July 2, 1999 - U.N. Calls for Further Action on Population, Development The special session of the U.N. General Assembly urged governments to better understand the relationships among population, poverty, gender inequity, health, education, the environment and financial and human resources. Governments also are urged to implement legislative and administrative measures to promote public awareness on the issue. "The rising use of family planning methods indicates that there is greater accessibility to family planning and that more and more couples and individuals are able to choose the number and spacing of their children," the draft said.
The document calls for (among others):
- universal access to primary education by 2015 and eliminating the gender gap in primary and secondary education by 2005
- reducing illiteracy of women and men, at least halving it for women and girls by 2005 from the 1990 level
- establishing mechanisms to accelerate women's equal participation and equitable representation at all levels of the political process and public life
- developing and using indicators measuring access to and choice of family planning and contraceptive methods
- reducing maternal mortality
- increasing young people's access to information and education to reduce vulnerability to HIV infection
- increasing donor funding from 5.7 billion U.S. dollars in 2000 to 7.2 billion dollars in 2015, the deadline of the Cairo Program of Action
Click here for a report on The Hague conference
State Department briefing on The Hague Sustainable population is a very important goal of our foreign policy because so much turns on it. It is definitely an element in our national interest. We have found that economic prosperity and social progress can be undermined by rapid population growth, which will totally overwhelm the quality and the availability of public services, which will limit employment opportunities, which will contribute to environmental degradation. ... US Under Secretary for Global Affairs Frank E. Loy
UNFPA is one of the largest multilateral sources of funding for population programs in the world. Working in 160 countries, UNFPA provides voluntary family planning services and other critical health care to millions of women. ...ZPG
The UNFPA adheres to the policies set at the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD - Cairo).
UNFPA does not support abortion services, and its programs acutally reduce the number of abortions by enabling couples to avoid unintented pregnancies. An official U.S. review concluded that UNFPA has not funded abortion nor supported coercive practices. Their programs aim to improve individual well-being and address unsustainable population growth by assisting couples with family planning. In China UNFPA has devoted seven years to planning and negotiating a 32-county initiative to demonstrate an approach to voluntary family planning based on informed choice. This initiative is an important development in a country where human rights have been a challenge.NWF Apr 99 More than 70% of UNFPA funds are directed to projects in 60 "priority" countries where rapid population growth poses the greatest threat to economic, social, and political stability. In Bangladesh, for example, UNFPA programs have helped lower the total fertility rate from 6.3 to 3.3 over the past two decades. ZPG
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) EARNS WORLD CONFIDENCE, DESERVES U.S. SUPPORT All couples and individuals have the right to decide freely and responsibly the number and spacing of their children and to have access to the information and means to do so. Since 1969, UNFPA has spent $3.7 billion for population programs in developing countries.
Working for Women's Sexual Rights.
Nafis Sadik, the executive director of the United Nation Population Fund
(UNPFA), will retire at the end of the year. Sadik, an obstetrician from
Pakistan, joined the UNPFA over
20 years ago. Then family planning was often something bureaucrats foisted
on poor women in developing countries who were targets for meeting quotas.
Now "population control" is no longer an acceptable description of what
family planners do. Now the concept is that women should have the right to
make their own decisions about bearing children, and that they should have
access to education and health services, and a range of family planning
tools. The new annual report of the UNFPA says "If women had the power to
make decisions about sexual activity and its consequences," ... "they could
avoid many of the 80 million unwanted pregnancies each year, 20 million
unsafe abortions, some 750,000 maternal
deaths and many times that number of infections and injuries." And: "They
could also avoid many of the 333 million sexually transmitted infections
contracted each year."
October 2, 2000 The New York Times
Forests: Report Explores Role In Mitigating Climate Change. Land Use and Global Climate Change: Forests, Land Management and the Kyoto Protocol, (pdf) a report released by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change says that forests and soils could play a major role in helping reduce the risks associated with climate change and direct reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol encourages countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion. It also encourages emissions reduction through planting trees, reducing deforestation and improving management of agricultural soils -- measures known collectively as Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF). The language in the Kyoto Protocol lacks of functional definitions" for common words such as "forest" and "reforestation," the report said. Also, the impacts on various countries will depend on the nature of their forests. "Key rules have been left undecided, allowing countries to push for interpretations that may weaken commitments made under the Protocol," said Eileen Claussen, president of the Pew Center. June 29, 2000 Pew Center
Divided World Starts Global Warming Summit. Officials from 168 states opened a two-week conference Monday aimed at cutting emissions of "greenhouse gases" blamed for global warming, a follow-up of the UN Kyoto conference two years ago in Japan. Greenhouse emissions were supposed to be cut by 5.2% for industrialized nations from 1990 levels by 2008-2012. 2002 Implementation was considered unlikely because of major divisions over the deal. The U.S. wants to allow the unlimited purchase of pollution "credits" from other nations, but the European Union wants a limit. The U.S. is a heavy polluting nation and would like to buy flexibility in reaching emissions targets from countries that fulfill their targets, such as Russia. Also, penalties are missing for countries that fail to meet emission targets on greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. October 24, 1999 Reuters
Cooperative Mechanisms Under the Kyoto Protocol ... from the Environmental Defense Fund
Eco-Isolationism Hurts the Environment
Friends of the Earth disappointed with progress at Buenos Aires Action Plan
"The Politics of Scientific Illiteracy" by US Vice President Al Gore. Gore accuses opponents of the Kyoto Protocol on Global Climate Change of exploiting the American public's poor understanding of science.
Officially known as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, this conference took place from 3-14 June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Delegations from 178 countries, heads of state of more than 100 countries, and representatives of more than 1,000 non-governmental organizations or NGOs attended the meetings.
The following five major agreements are associated with UNCED:
From the 1960s through the mid-1980s, U.S. funding, scientific expertise, and political leadership helped establish family-planning programs across the globe. Stabilizing population growth was deemed important to promote sustainable development, improve trade, mitigate illegal immigration, and ease potential conflicts. But after Republicans gained control of Congress in 1994, a small group of antiabortion House members succeeded in slashing U.S. overseas family-planning funds by about one third to the current $385 million a year. U.N. Population Fund Executive Director Nafis Sadik believes the United States will resume its leadership role when congressional opponents come to realize that family planning will reduce the abortions they abhor. October 11, 1999 US News and World Reports
Sample letter asking for foreign aid funding for family planning ... send one like it to your representative!!!
Congressional Report Card: Current scoop on legislation from ZPG.
Legislative Primer for the 106th Congress - 20000 and Beyond for the National Audubon Society Population and Habitat Program. Looking Back and Looking Ahead. Includes a letter to write to your Congresssional member, a Congressional Schedule, and Various Legislative Bills that will be voted on.
The Global Gag Rule by Joan Jones Holtz of the Sierra Club Global Population Stabilization Program Committee.
Money Matters: Financial Resource Commitments As agreed upon in the ICPD (Cairo), in 1995 $7.5 billion came from developing countries and $2 billion came from the industrialized world. Since then, the contribution of the industrialized countries has declined.
Kansan Sponsors More Restrictions on Aid for Coercive Family Planning The "Tiahrt Amendment," named for conservative Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., bans U.S. aid to foreign governments that force women to be sterilized, have abortions or use contraceptives. The $13.3 billion foreign aid bill passed recently in the House Appropriations Committee ordered the U.S. Agency for International Development's inspector general to investigate potential violations of the ban. The panel was, however, "pleased" and "encouraged" by U.S. AID's extensive efforts to ensure that population programs remain voluntary. A human rights watchdog office, funded by the U.S. and Peruvian governments, reported a handful of instances where a woman was sterilized without her consent, or was refused her baby's birth certificate until she agreed to be sterilized, or in which women were sterilized by doctors who had been drinking liquor. At least two women died, and in several cases doctors were indicted for criminal injury. "I think the days of having programs in developing countries which are coercive are - I won't say gone, but at least in the countries we work in, they don't exist," said Duff Gillespie, U.S. AID deputy assistant administrator of population, health and nutrition. Planned Parenthood Federation of America says the program is not and never has been needed and say that Tiahrt is working to undermine family planning programs, with a voting record in opposition to programs and statutes that would expand family planning services. June 28, 2000 AP Writer
Current Funding Status:
November 9, 2000 - Campaign 2000 Pro-Choice Forces Pick Up Senate, House Seats For the first time in six years, the U.S. Senate will have a pro-choice majority, with 54 pro-choice and 46 anti-choice Senators. A record number of women have been elected to serve in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The Republicans are still in the majority in both houses, however. The House, too, may have picked up some pro-choice seats. The number of women governors increased from three to five, and also women experienced an increase in state houses as well. [This will mean somewhat less chance for another Global Gag Rule.] November 9, 2000 Women's Enews
October 26, 2000 - Victory for International Family Planning: Congress Passes Foreign Aid Bill Without 'Gag Rule Restrictions. On October 25, Congress voted to increase funding for international family planning to $425 million -- a little more than $50 million over the current spending level. This will help to ensure that more women around the world will have access to critical family planning services. Congress also lifted the "global gag" rule --which restricts foreign aid to family planning groups overseas that perform abortions or lobby their governments for abortion rights with their own, separate funds. The $14.9 billion foreign aid spending bill passed the House by a 301-101 vote, and later passed the Senate by a 65-27 vote. President Clinton is expected to sign the bill. The agreement is not perfect, though, in that it delays the release of funds until February 15, after a new president is inaugurated. This means that the new president, if he is so inclined, will be able to reimpose the gag rule by executive order, as was done during the administrations of Presidents Reagan and Bush. ZPG
October 24, 2000 - Negotiators Agree on Aid. On Tuesday, October 24, 2000, negotiators reached an accord on a $14.9 billion foreign aid measure that includes $425 million to overseas family planning programs, up from $385 million Congress provided last year. The measure also eliminates a ban on giving funds to organizations that use private funds to perform abortions overseas or advocate liberalized abortion laws there. In addition, the measure gives $435 million to help relieve over $100 billion in international debt owed by 20 or so poor countries. Associated Press
October 21, 2000 - Congress Mulls Overseas Aid. The $14.9 billion foreign aid bill could be ready for congressional approval early next week. Rep. Sonny Callahan, the chairman, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Appropriations subcommittee that controls foreign aid, have discussed at least two options. In both options, last year's $385 million for international family planning would be boosted to perhaps $425 million. This is higher than the House version for this year. One version would keep the Reagan-era ban in place until early next year. The other would lack the [Gag Rule} prohibition, but the money could not be spent until early next year, by the next president. In either case, the next president will decide whether to reinstate the Reagan restrictions. Associated Press
October 11, 2000 - GOP Revises Foreign-Aid Budget of $14.9 Billion - With Strings Republicans are proposing a revised $14.9 billion foreign-aid budget which is $1.6 billion higher than the amount the House approved in July. It moves far closer to President Clinton's initial request and holds the promise of increased funding to pay down the debts of poor developing countries. There are still major differences over provisions that would be attached to the bill, including restrictions on U.S. aid to population-planning programs overseas. The ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations panel, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said "We are making progress." ... "The numbers that we are talking about can accommodate many of our needs." Wall Street Journal
September 10, 2000 - International Family Planning and the Global Gag Rule If you are from one of the following states, please contact your senator: Spector (R-PA), Gregg (R-NH), Campbell (R-CO), Leahy (D-VT), Inouye (D-HI), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Harkin (D-IA), Mikulski (D-MD), and Murray (D-WA). For 27 years, a U.S. law has forbidden the use of U.S. dollars for funding of abortions overseas. Yet, for some conservative anti-abortion congresspeople, this is not enough. For fiscal year 2000, while Congress funded the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), it also passed an amendment to the appropriations bill that had major repercussions for family planning through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The additional restrictions, dubbed the Global Gag Rule, bans the use of U.S. family planning aid to any organization that provides abortions with other funds, even if abortions are legal in that country. Additionally, these groups cannot take part in any public dialogue on abortion laws in their own country. This year, the Senate has already passed their foreign operations appropriations bill, S. 2522. The bill includes increased funding for family planning, and does not include the restrictive global gag rule. In fact, the Senate version includes policy language that blocks the impostition of the global gag rule. However, the House, despite the efforts of Representatives Nita lowey (D-NY) and Jim Greenwood (R-PA) to strike the language, passed the foreign affairs appropriations bill, H.R. 4811, with the global gag rule language included. The vote was very close, 221 to 206. Sometime in the next few weeks the House and Senate Conference Committee will reach an agreement on one of the two bills. The Senate version includes $425 million for USAID and $25 million for UNFPA. The House version includes $385 million for USAID and $25 million for UNFPA. The Global Gag Rule adds costly administrative burdens to comply with Congress's new demands. NGOs must go through an additional time-consuming certification process. International family planning agencies, unsure of the implications of the new restrictions, have begun to cut back on services. Effective programs of safe and comprehensive reproductive health care are being scaled down as agencies try to assess the impact of the new law. As a result, maternal and infant deaths, and unplanned pregnancies are sure to increase. If you are from one of the following states, please contact your senator: Spector (R-PA), Gregg (R-NH), Campbell (R-CO), Leahy (D-VT), Inouye (D-HI), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Harkin (D-IA), Mikulski (D-MD), and Murray (D-WA). Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121. Tell them: U.S. funding for voluntary family planning and other reproductive health programs not only save lives and improve human health, but also help slow population growth and protect the environment. Attempts to interfere with the delivery of these vital health services undermine the prospects for conserving natural resources, protecting wildlife habitat, and ultimately, for ensuring a healthy and prosperous future for our children. Please keep the Global Gag Rule out and support the Senate funding levels. President Clinton has said he will veto any bill without adequate funding or with the restrictive global gag rule language. Last year the President did not veto the Global Gag Rule, having to choose between paying backlogged United Nations dues or providing adequate, unrestricted funding for international family planning programs. This year we need to ask the President to stand strong, to push for sufficient levels of international family planning for programs that save lives and protect the environment. To get the latest information, contact Marcia Lesky at National Wildlife Federation, 202-797-6800. To send a message to the President, call 202-456-1414. For help in organizing your congressional visits, contact ZPG Government Relations Department at 1-800-767-1956. Aug/Sept 2000 NWF/ZPG/Sierra Club
International Scrooge. An editorial in the Singapore Straits Times says that while the United States will spend $310 billion on its military in 2001, it spends only $10.4 billion (or just 0.11 per cent of its GDP) on international development and humanitarian aid. "Its failure to support the UN adequately ... undermines the international body's operations, including peacekeeping missions that the US wishes it to undertake." Each American contributes only about US $29 to foreign aid. August 21, 2000 Singapore Straits Times
June 22, 2000 - House Subcommittee Holds at $385 Million, Continues Gag Rule Restrictions. Joint study projects 100,000 deaths prevented by restoring aid to 1995 levels. On June 20, the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee marked up the FY 2001 foreign assistance bill, failing to match either the Senate-passed level of $425 million for international family planning (population) assistance, or the Administration's request of $541.6 million. Equally disappointing was the decision by subcommittee chair Sonny Callahan (R-AL) to keep in the bill last year's controversial policy rider aimed at limiting speech around abortion issues in other countries (by foreign organizations with their own, non-U.S. money). This decision flies in the face of the widely-reported plea made by House GOP leaders last month to keep spending bills free of divisive policy amendments. PAI
ALERT: Funding for International Family Planning Needs Your Help.
June 22, 2000 PAI
November 1999 - Clinton Waives Limits on US Aid to Family Planning Programs Abroad. President Clinton waived restrictions imposed by Congress in the federal budget on US aid to international family planning programs, including those that advocate abortion rights. The State Department will now have a greater latitude in dispensing about 400 million dollars for foreign aid to family planning. However, according to the deal, the waiver will result in a 3.5% cut in family planning funding and will put a $15 million limit on assistance that can be given to groups that perform or advocate abortions. November 30, 1999 New York Times
U.S: Republicans Bow to CLINTON'S Foreign Aid Demands. Clinton was able to get development aid boosted in the foreign aid budget bill by some $400 million, but he didn't persuade Republicans to grant all of the $370 million debt relief he had requested for the world's poorest nations. The debt relief money was increased from $33 million by $123 million. Washington can now cancel the bilateral debt owed by 41 of the world's poorest nations, most of them in Africa. The U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) will receive $110 million and the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) at least $80 million. $25 million for the U.N. Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) was also included; last year it was denied by anti-abortion forces in the Congress. This money will, however, will be reduced dollar-for-dollar by any money spent by UNFPA in China which leading Republicans accuse of practicing coercive abortions. [the UNFPA does have a program in China which stresses voluntary family planning and preventative contraception]. The bill did not include money to pay the U.S.'s huge U.N. arrears. These will be covered by a separate bill for State Department appropriations. Clinton wants Congress to approve almost $1 billion out of $1.7 billion the UN said it is owed for unpaid dues and peacekeeping bills. Anti-abortion lawmakers, mostly Republicans, may kill the arrears unless Clinton agrees to ban U.S. aid to overseas aid groups which lobby their governments to ease abortion laws. November 6, 1999 IPS
1999 Funding:
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August 3, 1999
Legislative Update: National Audubon Society Population & Habitat Program International Population Assistance This morning the House passed the FY 2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, H.R. 2606, closing a contentious chapter in the annual funding process for international family planning and population programs. CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who worked very hard to protect population funding in this bill! Just before passage, the House voted down 272-145 an amendment sponsored by Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) to eliminate funding for international family planning and population assistance. The same amendment failed in 1997 by a vote of 278-147. What's Next: A House and Senate conference committee will meet after the August recess (August 9 - September 8) to work on the final version of the FY2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. Listed below is a recap of population-related votes in H.R. 2606. The URL for each roll call vote is listed. If you cannot access the votes, please send an email to Rschlangen@audubon.org. Please specify the name of your Representative or the state for which you would like voting records.
"Global Gag Rule" amendment
Mr. Greenwood's "compromise" amendment
Mr. Pitts' amendment
Mr. Paul's Amendment
Vote: failed 272-145 For more information, please contact Rhonda Schlangen, Senior Population Policy Associate, Population and Habitat Campaign of the National Audubon Society. T: (202) 861-2242, ext. 3013. Email: Rschlangen@audubon.org. New LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE: 1-800-741-9658 National Audubon Society Population & Habitat Program International Population Assistance |
June 17, 1999:
The Senate Appropriations Committee today passed their fiscal year (FY) 2000
Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which contains $425 million in
international family planning and population assistance funds, including $25
million for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). These funding levels
are equal to the President's budget request and are very positive in light
of overall budget cuts.
The next step is for the full Senate to vote on the bill. The House, the
usual source of contention over population and family planning issues, has
yet to take up their version of the FY 2000 Foreign Operations
Appropriations bill. It is expected to do so later this summer.
The long awaited vote on the State Department authorization bill (H.R. 1211)
is expected to take place in mid-July following the Independence Day recess.
The bill contains a provision to provide a $25 million U.S. contribution to
UNFPA.
A UNFPA victory in this "authorization" bill, which gives Congress
"authority" to fund programs, would open the door for re-funding UNFPA in
the House Foreign Operations Appropriations bill when it is debated in
September.
May 19 1999:
Population and environment supporters in Washington D.C and around the
country have been contacting Representatives in support of funding for the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Our efforts have been aided by a
longer than anticipated time for the bill, the Foreign Relations
Authorization Act (H.R. 1211), to reach the House floor. The vote could be
held next week or the following week.
When the bill goes before the House Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ)
will likely offer an amendment to remove the UNFPA funding. Members of the
House supportive of UNFPA will try to block this effort and offer an
alternative amendment to Smith's which would protect the $25 million
contribution to UNFPA in the bill.
Several Representatives not usually considered supporters of
global population efforts or family planning have indicated their intention
to support funding for UNFPA.
The number for the Capitol switchboard is (202)
224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.
Apr 14 1999:
House Committee Takes First Step toward Refunding UN Population
Fund
The International Relations Committee adopted an amendment to restore a
U.S.
contribution to the UNFPA during the committee's consideration of the
State
Department authorization bill H.R. 1211. Population Action International
president
Amy Coen said "There is well-founded concern about China's family
planning
program, not UNFPA's. Congress should not hold voluntary family planning
efforts
and UNFPA hostage to a legitimate concern about the conduct of the
Chinese
government. The Fund is committed to freedom of individual choice in
family
planning, opposes coercion in any form, and is working to this end in
China."
In a surprising turn of events, the International Relations Committee voted to reinstate funding for UNFPA (H.R. 1211). The Campbell/McKinney amendment was supported by all Democrats present (including Crowley), and the following Republicans: Gilman, Leach, Campbell, Cooksey. Absentees included Houghton, Lantos, Faleomaevega, Hastings, and Danner.
Cooksey was the biggest surprise. He made a statement expressing his great concern about the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) that he had become familiar with on a trip to Africa. He stated that his vote would turn on which position would do more to help eradicate FGM. He voted to fund UNFPA.
April 13 1999: The State Department Authorization is going to full committee mark-up tomorrow, April 13, at 10 AM. Smith has inserted his United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) cut-off language (no money to UNFPA unless the President certifies either that UNFPA has withdrawn from China or there have been no coerced abortions during the preceding 12 months). This is an attack on family planning and women the world over.
Recognizing it as such Rep. Tom Campbell (R-CA) will offer an amendment to restore the U.S. contribution to UNFPA, negating Chris Smith's UNFPA cut-off language. Rep. Cynthia McKinney warned Chris Smith in his subcommittee's mark up of the bill, "UNFPA is a positive force in China; and whatever we think about this point, I am sure it has activities in many other places in the world that deserve our support. We should work to find a way to make that happen, and I will be actively involved at the appropriate time to try to achieve that. Mr. Chairman, you have been warned!"
BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR UNFPA FUNDING
On March 2, Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Constance Morella (R-MD)
introduced H.R. 895, legislation that would reinstate U.S. funding for the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in fiscal year 1999. The pair
launched the bipartisan bill at a joint press conference with The Centre for
Development and Population Activities, the National Audubon Society, Planned
Parenthood Federation of America, Population Action International, the
Population Institute and Zero Population Growth. "Several House members,
Republican and Democratic, signed on to sponsor a bill that would give the
[UNFPA] $60 million over the next two years," according to and Associated
Press reporter.
1974
At the first U.N.-sponsored International Conference on
Population, the United States joined other nations in calling for
measures to halt the "population bomb." Though some developing
nations denounced the efforts as a form of genocide, the conference
launched large-scale international family planning. Over the
subsequent quarter-century, population control has remained a
controversial topic, influenced by such political issues as the
status of women, China's draconian one-child policy and abortion.
1984
President Ronald Reagan orders that no U.S. aid go to any overseas
family planning organization for any purpose if that organization
also performs or advocates abortions. (Direct funding for abortion
was already illegal.) This becomes known as the "Mexico City" rule
because it is announced at the second population conference, held
there.
1993
President Clinton rescinds the Reagan order. U.S. aid subsequently
resumes to international family planning organizations that had
lost funding.
1995
U.S. funding for overseas family planning peaks at a one-year level
of about $583 million. About $35 million goes to the largest
multilateral family planning organization, the U.N. Population Fund
(UNFPA).
1996-97
Congressional opponents of abortion, unsuccessfully seeking to
write the Mexico City rule into law, compromise by limiting U.S.
funding of overseas family planning programs. Funds are essentially
capped at $385 million a year; UNFPA aid drops to $20 million.
1998
Congress eliminates all U.S. funding for UNFPA. The funding cap
continues.
1999
In a compromise aimed at achieving the U.S. payment of back dues to
the United Nations, Clinton agrees to language in a spending bill
that in large part echoes Reagan's Mexico City rule. UNFPA funding
is reinstated at $25 million, but with restrictions related to
programs in China.
The Washington Post
Foreign Aid Less Than 1 Percent
Many believe that the U.S. budget
currently contains ten times the amount actually allocated to foreign
aid. When polled, a majority believe that foreign aid is more than
10 percent, and when asked what it should be, the consensus is 4-5
percent. In fact it is less than 1 percent! Mar 99 PCI
When Congress slashed funding for these programs in 1996, the 35 percent
cut resulted in 4 million unplanned pregnancies, 1.6 million abortions,
8,000 maternal deaths, and 134,000 infant deaths due to increased high-risk
births, according to leading U.S. research organizations.
| US Agency for International Development | FY 93 | FY 94 | FY 95 | FY 96 | FY 97 | FY 98 | FY 99 |
| USAID - Population (Family Planning/ Reproductive Health) |
448.0 | 480.0 | 541.6 | 432.0 | 385.0 | 385.0 | 385.0 |
| USAID - HIV/AIDS | 124.5 | 113.0 | 125.8 | 117.8 | 117.5 | 121.0 | 125.0 |
| USAID Maternal Health/ Nutrition |
50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 50.0 |
| USAID Sub-total | 622.5 | 643.0 | 717.4 | 599.8 | 552.5 | 556.0 | 556.0 |
| UNFPA (via US Dept. of State) | 14.5 | 40.0 | 35.0 | 22.8 | 25.0 | 20.0 | 0 |
| Total US funding | 637.0 | 683.0 | 752.4 | 622.6 | 577.5 | 576.0 | 560.0 |
Micro Credit: Taking out a Loan on Population
PCI President Keeps the Focus on Cairo
UN Population Fund Deserves Congressional Support >From Population Action International president Amy Coen "When Congress eliminated funding for UNFPA for the current fiscal year, it cited UNFPA's new program in China as the reason. This rationale should be closely examined. Does it make sense to take money away from an organization that has worked for seven years to persuade the Chinese government to implement a fully voluntary family planning program in 32 project counties? The answer is 'No.'" "Whereas our own U.S. Agency for International Development operates in 70 countries, UNFPA works in double that number. It simply makes no sense to penalize all these countries for a program in just one of them."
This past year Congress eliminated all U.S. funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Funding for USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) population assistance program has been cut 30% since 1995. This funding is also subject to punitive and burdensome metering restrictions which waste tax dollars and harm the program's efficacy ... NWF
Write a letter to your Congressman
From the National Wildlife Federation: Oct 98 "Congress froze the population budget for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) at the 1997 level of $385 million. Congress also continued the punitive "metering" restriction that makes funds only available in small monthly installments instead of in one lump sum. Through negotiation, the White House and Rep. Pelosi (D-CA) neutralized an attempt by Rep. Tiahrt (R-KS) to impose unreasonable restrictions on family planning work overseas. Fortunately, Rep. Pitts (R-PA) was also forced to withdraw his effort to cut one quarter of the population budget."
The Foreign Aid Measure sets policy for many kinds of overseas programs -- long-term development assistance, export subsidies, and payments to the United Nations. The U.S. now owes the U.N. nearly $1.5 billion dollars of unpaid dues from previous years. This debt hampers not only peacekeeping, human rights and disarmament activities; it also stands in the way of cooperation to protect biodiversity, reduce hazardous waste pollution and conserve marine resources.
The Global Gag Rule and the Mexico City Policy
1984: President Ronald Reagan orders that no U.S. aid go to any overseas family planning organization for any purpose if that organization also performs or advocates abortions. (Direct funding for abortion was already illegal.) This becomes known as the "Mexico City" rule because it is announced at the second population conference, held there.
1999: The bipartisan National Population Policy Resolution (H. Con. Res. 17) was reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Tom Sawyer (D-OH) and Connie Morella (R-MD) for the 106th Congress. The resolution calls on Congress to make a commitment to create policies that address the social and environmental consequences of rapid population growth. ZPG
The Global Gag Rule by Joan Holtz .. Sierra Club Global Population Stabilization Program committee
Why the Global Gag Rule undermines U.S. Foreign policy and harms women's health. ... from Population Action International. These ads urge Congress to maintain American leadership at the United Nations, saying that "Finally, Congress and the President Hold the Missing Piece to U.S. Global Leadership," an end to the deadlock over UN arrears -- support for the Greenw ood-Lowey bipartisan compromise, which reiterates the ban on the use of U.S. funds to lobby on abortion. In addition, it adds that no U.S. funds may be used to promote abortion as a method of family planning.
The National Population Policy Resolution (1998 H. Con. Res 154) calls on Congress to "develop, promote and implement" a cohesive, comprehensive strategy to halt rapid population growth.
The Global Gag Rule would disqualify foreign non-government organizations (NGOs) from receiving US family planning assistance if they - with their own funds and within their own countries - perform legal abortions or "engage in ... effort[s} to alter the laws or government policies of any foreign country concerning the circumstances under which abortion is permitted, regulated or prohibited." This includes participating in public debates (pro or con) in their own countries or elsewhere over abortion laws or policies.
The flaw in this rule is that if NGOs promote family planning in a country where abortions are legal, they will effectively reduce abortions. Indeed, Federal law already prohibits the use of U.S. funding to provide abortions.
Family Planning Prevents Abortions For example, in the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan, USAID has provided education to doctors and nurses and increased contraceptive supplies to 28 clinics. In 1993, the number of people receiving these contraceptives increase by 59 % while abortions fell 41 percent. Other examples where abortions dropped while contraceptive use rose are in Russia: abortions dropped from 3.6 million to 2.8 million in 4 years; in Hungary abortions fell from 80 per 1000 to 30 per 1000 in 26 years; in Chile abortions fell from 77 per 1000 to 45 per 1000 in 30 years; in Bogata Columbia a 1/3 increase in contraceptive use accompanied by a 45% decrease in abortions between 1976 and 1986; in Mexico City contraceptive use up 24% and abortion rate down 39%; in the industrialized nations including the US, Japan, and Western Europe, it was shown that the larger the proportion of women using 3 of the most effective contraceptive methods, the lower the national abortion rate. In Central Asia, the use of contraception has increased from 1/3 to 1/4 while abortions rates have decreased by as much as 1/2 from 1991-1996...ZPG
The "Mexico City" policy is a remnant of the Reagan-Bush years that
would prohibit the US from offering financial assistance to any
non-governmental organization that counsels, refers or provides abortion
services, even with private funding. The lawmakers should be reminded:
Family Planning Prevents Abortions!
The abortion provision that Mr. Smith wants would
write into law an executive order issued by President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Mr. Clinton reversed the order in 1993, shortly after taking office.
The United States has barred direct financing for abortion since 1973, but
the 1984 policy, known familiarly as "Mexico City" since Mr. Reagan
announced it during a United Nations conference there, denied grants to
international family-planning organizations for any purpose if they promoted
abortion rights.
Since gaining control of Congress in 1994, Republicans have tried to write
the provision into law. And since 1997, Mr. Smith has pressured Republican
Speakers Newt Gingrich of Georgia and now J. Dennis Hastert of Illinois to
support him in attaching the abortion provision to bills that would repay
the United Nations.
The most fervent supporters of this linkage are in the House. Even Senator
Jesse Helms, Republican of North Carolina, who staunchly opposes abortion,
disagrees with the House approach, largely because it blocks reforms at the
United Nations that he wants.
Both sides hold out compromises. Abortion rights groups say they would
grudgingly accept a provision sponsored by Representatives James C.
Greenwood, Republican of Pennsylvania, and Nita M. Lowey, Democrat of New
York. The measure, which the House approved in July by a vote of 221 to 208,
would cut United States financing from international organizations that
lobby for abortion rights only in countries where local laws prohibit such
lobbying.
"We've got problems with it," said Susan Cohen, a vice president for
development at the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a research and advocacy group.
"But if that's the price to pay to get the U.N. dues, we could live with
it."
An explanation of the Global Gag Rule from PAI
UNFPA Director Dr. Sadik Speaks Up on "Serious Misstatements of
Fact"
For several years, Rep. Smith, chair of the International Relations
subcommittee on international operations and human rights, has led efforts
in Congress to cease U.S. contributions to UNFPA so long as that agency
supports the
Chinese national family planning program.
According to Dr. Sadik:
"Your accusations that UNFPA supports abortion and coercion in China
ignores pertinent reviews and evaluations by the U.S. government and other
authorities,"
The UNFPA has "stated publicly and brought to your attention on several
previous occasions (that) UNFPA does not support abortion services
and does not promote abortion as a method of family planning."
Dr. Sadik maintained that "UNFPA does not under any circumstances
condone coercion," which she said is "a violation of human rights, and I
have explicitly and publicly condemned it, notably in Beijing, at the Fourth
World Conference on Women in 1995."
"UNFPA has worked to widen the choice of contraception available to China,
to train service providers in managing fully voluntary programs and to
empower women to make their own decisions."
"Women do not want to have abortions: they want not to be pregnant. The best
way to help them achieve their aims is to help them avoid unwanted
pregnancies."
June 1998: Clinton
Urged to Veto Anti-Family Planning Foreign Aid Measure. From Popline: a
letter urging Clinton to veto the 1998-99 Foreign Affairs Reform Act on
grounds that the measure would impose an international 'gag rule', was
signed by a long list of organizations such as population
groups,environmental, reproductive health groups, women and family groups,
universities and research centers, scientist groups, and several religious
groups including Catholic, Jewish, Methodist, and Presbyterian
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has said that the Smith amendment is a "gag rule...that would punish organizations for engaging in the democratic process in foreign countries and for engaging in legal activities that would be protected by the First Amendment if carried out in the United States." Such a policy "violates democratic principles and would be firmly rejected as unconstitutional if applied in the United States," the organization heads said. "It is not a policy that should be foisted on other nations. Many of our organizations have direct experiences with the implementation of public health programs in the United States and overseas."
As part of our work on women's empowerment, the Sierra Club supports the Microenterprise for Self-Reliance Act. This piece of legislation would request $90 million in funds for international micro-credit programs for low-income women in the developing world. Micro-credit programs allow low-income women to borrow small amounts of money at low interest rates to enable poor women to start their own businesses. These programs have a 90% repayment rate. As women earn income they also gain self-esteem and more bargaining power economically and with regards to the reproductive rights.
The Microenterprise for Self-Reliance Act (H.R. 1143 and S.1463) has been
introduced in both Houses of Congress. It sponsors are Sen. Michael DeWine
and
Rep. Benjamin Gilman. It has 24 co-sponsors in the House and 11 in the
Senate.
To see if your Representative and Senators are co-sponsors, visit
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:HR01143:@@@P and
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:SN01463:@@@P.
Planned Parenthood 1999
9 out of 10 American voters believe family planning services are important. 74% of American voters favor public sector funding for family planning services. 66% of American voters believe it is important to ensure that abortion remains accessible. .... source: Lake Sosin Snell Perry poll conducted for Planned Parent Federation of America, (1997)
Battles Over Domestic Family Planning. September 2000. President Clinton has requested $274 million for Title X, America'a domestic family planning program. However, so far Congress has funded the program at last year's level of $239.9 million, ignoring the rising cost of providing health care and the rising numbers of Americans who have no health insurance. Federally funded programs to promote abstinence until marriage have been increased by $80 million, despite the fact that teen pregnancy rates have already fallen to an all-time low. Such programs may not discuss contraception. The federal Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act has been in stalemate. Incremental success has been shown on the state level regarding requirements for private insurance plans to cover prescriptions for contraceptive drugs. House members who are opponents of family planning have attacked access to contraception by teens and residents in the District of Columbia and have attached a rider to the DC appropriations bill requiring that any new law drafted by the City Council allow opt-outs for "moral convictions" and "religious reasons." September, 2000 Planned Parenthood
June 10, 1999 The Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act (EPICC) was reintroduced in both the House and Senate (S.1200/H.R. 2120). by population and environment leader Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA). EPICC requires insurance companies that cover prescription drugs and procedures to cover contraceptives as well. Cost of providing oral contraceptives only $16 per year per employee. Most insurance companies will pay for tubal ligations (86%), vasectomies (85%), and abortions (66%), yet 49% still do not provide for the five most commonly used reversible methods (pill, Depo Provera, Norplant, IUD, diaphram) Feb 99 ZPG Reporter, Alan Guttmacher, CDC
Title X
No American woman should be denied access to family planning assistance because of her economic condition. I believe, therefore, that we should establish as a national goal the provision of family planning services...to all who want but cannot afford them. --President Richard M. Nixon, 1970
Title X Faces Annual Threats of Funding Cuts. Before adjornment for the elections in October, Congress will formulate and pass a budget for the next fiscal year. A big concern during this period will be the continued funding of Title X - the federal family planning program signed into law by President Nixon in 1970 that provides contraceptive and related reproductive health care services to low-income women. Each year, anti-choice members attempt to dismantle the program altogether, or chip away at the funding levels or add harmful restrictions. That is why it is so important for all of us to speak out and let Congress know that we support the Title X program. September 7, 2000 Planned Parenthood
Mar 99 The Title X domestic family planning program received $238.9 million in funding ----- up from $214.9 million last year. This $24 million increase represents a 10% boost in funding for the program and the largest increase in two decades. Title X provides family planning counseling, medical screenings, contraceptives, and other reproductive health services to women who otherwise couldn't afford them. No Title X funding is used for abortions and can significantly reduce the need for abortions by preventing unplanned pregnancies. Despite this, anti-choice and anti-family planning members of Congress are working to block this measure.
Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP)
Dec 99 Contraceptive Coverage - New language was added allowing pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals to opt out of providing contraceptives to federal employees who are enrolled in the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP). A provision has already been signed into law earlier this year as part of the Treasury-Postal bill that requires all health plans administered under the FEHBP to include coverage for prescription contraceptives. This new opt-out clause was slipped into the Omnibus bill by anti-family planning supporters despite its defeat on the House floor.
Oct 98 Federal Worker Birth Control Coverage Nears Approval. Congress plans to send to President Clinton today an omnibus spending bill that includes requirements for all health plans that offer insurance to federal workers to cover the costs of the five major forms of contraception: birth control pills; diaphragms; intrauterine devices; the implant NorPlant; and the injectable Depo-Provera. Contraceptive service already is covered for low-income women who get their health care through the Medicaid program.
Equity in Prescription and Contraceptive Coverage Act (EPICC)
December 1999 from ZPG, the Sierra
Club, and Planned Parenthood
The Equality in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act
(EPICC) is
similar to FEHB but would apply to all insurance companies, not just those
serving federal employees. It would require insurance plans that offer
prescription drug coverage to also cover prescription contraceptive drugs
and
devices. Similarly, the measure would require that health plans offering
coverage for outpatient medical services also provide coverage for
outpatient
contraceptive services. EPICC would make contraceptives more affordable and
accessible for all Americans, begin to bring parity to health care costs for
men
and women, improve women's and children's health, and protect the
environment.
EPICC (S.1200 and H.R. 2120) has been introduced in both houses of Congress. It is sponsored by Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Harry Reid (D-NV) in the Senate and Jim Greenwood (R-PA) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) in the House. It has 38 sponsors in the Senate and 124 in the House. To see if your Representative and Senators are co-sponsors visit http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:SN01200:@@@P and http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d106:HR02120:@@@P.
If enacted, EPICC would be a critical step toward reducing unintended
pregnancy and achieving gender equity in health coverage for the
three-quarters of American women of childbearing age who rely on private,
employer-sponsored plans for their health coverage. Despite near-universal
coverage of prescription drugs, insurance plans often treat coverage of
contraceptives as optional, and thus not a covered expense.
The typical American woman spends more than three-quarters of her
reproductive life seeking to avoid pregnancy. In fact, if a woman is
sexually active between 20 and 45 and wants two children, she will need to
use contraception for more than 20 years.
National Audubon Society
The Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act factsheet from Planned Parenthood
Do Public Attitudes Toward Abortion Influence Attitudes Toward Family Planning? Understanding that American legislators who tend to vote against abortion are also less likely to support international family planning programs, Rand sought, in a poll of over 1,500 people, to determine if these legislators were representing their constituency. They found that attitudes towards abortion actually exert only "minor influence" in America's attitude towards family planning. 52% of those interviewed believed family planning did not include abortion, while 46% said it did. Only 33% thought birth control included abortion. Current U.S. laws define family planning as excluding abortion, and will not provide aid to other countries which will be used to conduct abortions in those countries. 80% of the American public polled supported US funding for voluntary family planning programs in other countries, with another 86% favoring family planning services for poor women. Abortion caused more concern with the interviewees, of which 22% believe it should be legal in any circumstance. Another 62% believed abortion should be legal in special circumstances, and 15% held the opinion that all abortions should be illegal. As for overseas funding of abortions, the public remains divided with 50% in favor of US funding for abortions in developing countries and 46% against. In analyzing the polls, Rand had two major conclusions. First, they found that only about half the public believes that abortion reflects a lack of access to family planning services. Second, they found that of the 46% opposing funding for overseas abortions, 2/3 support funding for family planning. As for lessons learned, Rand believes that there were three: 1. the public lacks a clear grasp of what family planning means and whether abortion is included; 2. that public policy discussions should separate family planning and abortion in order to produce policies which better reflect public opinion; 3. the public needs to be better educated on the research evidence that suggests better family planning services reduce the number of abortions. jb Spring 2000 Rand Press Release
Governor Gray Davis Declares the Week of October 22-28, 2000 to be World Population Awareness Week in California. Whereas, the world population today exceeds six billion, and continues to grow at a rapid rate; and Whereas, the world's increasing population raises concerns regarding environmental protection, economic stability and social welfare; and Whereas, as a State with a population more than 34 million people, California has taken an active role in addressing the social, economic and environmental demands of a large population; and Whereas, increasing public awareness and educating communities about family planning strategies and other methods of reducing the environmental and economic toil of population growth will help reduce its negative impact; and Whereas, World Population Awareness Week showcases the positive effects that working together and sharing information will have on the global community; Now, THEREFORE, I GRAY DAVIS, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim October 22-28, 2000 as "World Population Awareness Week" in California. This release was sent by Danielle Elliott, Executive Director of CAPS. September 25, 2000 CAPS
September 12, 2000 - California Bills: Unintended Pregnancies & Pharmaceutical Contraception Provided by Insurance Companies
California: Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Legislation is on Governor Davis' Desk. AB 878/SB 1338 passed both houses of the California state legislature and was sent to Gov. Davis for his signature. He must sign the bill by September 30 for it to become law. This law will continue the Community Challenge Grant program which provides $20 million annually to community-based organizations and local agencies to reduce teenage pregnancy in California. Californians should contact Governor Davis to make sure this important bill becomes law. ZPG
May 1999: A.B. 39 and S.B.41:
"The Woman's Contraceptive Equity Act" requires insurance companies that
include coverage for prescription drugs to also cover FDA-approved
prescription contraceptives. Fully half of all pregnancies are unplanned and
30% of all births are the result of unplanned pregnancy. In California our
population is projected to grow by 17 million in less than 25 years. Family
planning keeps people off welfare by preventing unplanned pregnancies.
May 1999: S.B. 500 will extend the Family Planning Access Care and Treatment Program for 1.2 million working low-income women. This program does not fund abortions.
AB-525 April
23, 1999:
Insurance carriers to include "Comprehensive reproductive health services",
meaning
preconception counseling and care, pregnancy-related services,
fertility management, abortion, emergency contraception, voluntary
sterilization, including voluntary tubal ligation at the time of
delivery, family planning, including all services and supplies
approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, both
prescription and nonprescription, diagnosis and treatment of sexually
transmitted diseases, and diagnosis of breast and gynecological
cancers.
Apr 12 1999 PRNewswire California State Senate Approves Bill to Require Private Insurers Cover Birth Control Prescriptions. Next stop: the Assembly.
Wilson vetoes 3rd contraceptive bill. From the Sacramento
Bee Sep 98.
In previous versions of this bill, which would have required
California health plans to pay for birth control pills, Wilson wanted an
exemption for religious organizations that object to providing
birth control services for their employees. This time, the exemption had
been added, but now Wilson objected to a provision for a voucher
from the existing state family planning program to
cover the cost of contraceptives. The voucher would have been
available to families who make as much as $65,800 a year.
Check California Legislature website for info.
"...Equitable and sustainable development and population stabilization go
together.
The education and empowerment of women, high levels of literacy, the
availability of
contraception and quality health care -- these factors are all crucial.
They cannot be put off until development takes place; they must
accompany it -- and
indeed should be seen as part of the process by which development is
hastened and
made more likely."
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., Washington DC 20500
Ph. (202) 456-1414 Fax (202) 456-2461 email: vicepresident@whitehouse.gov
2201 C St. NW, Washington DC 20520
ph (202) 647-5291 fax 647-1533
In 1998 Ted Turner promised $1 billion to the United Nations for population programs. Turner's UN Foundation
Nov 10, 98 From the Sacramento Bee: The Packard Foundation, created in 1964 by David and Lucile Packard, of Hewlett-Packard Co., will parcel the population grants over the next 5 years to various population and reproductive health programs, helping advocates who want to move the issue to the forefront of grass-roots causes.
Sarah Clark, director of the Packard program, said Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sudan were chosen as recipients for aid after analysis of population size and need. She added:
"Many countries have already had success in reducing population growth." ... "In all instances this was achieved by giving more women more choices and better opportunities to decide how many children they would have and how frequently they would have them."
Since 1999, the Foundation has substantially increased its fundings of population activities. Its assets were approximately 9.6 billion dollars at the end of 1998 and it expects to make grants of 400 million dollars in 1999.
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Dear Voters in the 14th District: Is human activity affecting global warming? Can the salmon be saved? Can we halt the escalating degradation of our environment? I believe we must stop population growth. A universal accountable single payer health plan that covers contraceptives, vasectomies, tubal ligations and prescription drugs should be implemented as soon as possible. This would save tens of millions of taxpayer's dollars each year. I will attempt to double the funding and expand Washington's very popular vasectomy program for low income men. There will be less need for abortion. If elected, I will introduce an unprecedented resolution (not law) that commends couples for having "two or fewer" children. Whereas, we wish to encourage public discussion on the topic of family size and its impact on the quality of life. Whereas, it is essential to ensure a sustainable resource base, a healthy environment and the hope of fulfulling life for all people, and: Whereas, the tendency toward governemnt regulation and the decrease of individual freedoms can be related to population growth; Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Washington State Senate especially commends coulples who choose to have "two or fewer" children in our quest for a sustainable future. End. I believe we must love, nurture, and educate all people on this planet if we are to have a sustainable future. My candidacy offers a very different view from that of Senator Alex Deccio. It is time for a change! Vote for State Senator GOP 14th District September 19th For more information, see http://www.dnet.org/wa from Ed Patton
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International Family Planning
August - ALERT from National Wildlife
Federation:
Funding for International Family Planning Needs Your Help
CURRENT STATUS OF INTERNATIONAL FAMILY PLANNING FUNDING In the wake of last year's battle over international family planning funding, the result of which was a eduction of funds and the addition of restrictive language, it is more vital than ever that population and environment activists be heard!
The President requested that $542 million be earmarked for voluntary international family planning in Fiscal Year 2001 and has stated that he opposes including restrictions like the global gag rule in any future appropriations bills. As Congress works on appropriations, it is imperative that you contact your Representative and Senators to let them know that you support the President's request for international family planning assistance. The following is the status of foreign operations appropriations in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
SENATE The Senate has passed their foreign operations appropriations bill, S. 2522 the Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2001. The bill includes increased funding levels and language that blocks the global gag rule restrictions that were included in the FY 2000 appropriations bill.
Funding levels in the Senate version include:
Call or write your Senators and tell them to support this bill with no funding reductions or restrictive language as it comes to the Conference Committee!
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Despite valiant efforts by Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY), and other pro-family planning members of the House Appropriation Committee, the foreign affairs appropriations bill was reported to the House floor with last year's restrictive language.
The House Appropriations Committee voted 34-26 against Representative Lowey's attempt to amend the FY 2001 foreign aid bill that would have added language from her bill, H.R. 4211, which includes the same language that was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.
Funding levels in the House version include:
Call or write your Representative and let them know that these funding
levels
and restrictions are unacceptable.
National Audubon Society Population and Habitat Program
May 2000
I. "Saving Women's Lives Through International Family Planning Act of 2000" Bill Introduced in the House and Senate
H.R. 3634 - Saving Women's Lives Through International Family Planning
Act of 2000
In February, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Democratic Chair of the
Congressional Women's Caucus, introduced H.R. 3634, "Saving Women's Lives
through International Family Planning Act of 2000," a bill which provides
international family planning funding for the fiscal year 2001. The bill
was introduced with 11 original cosponsors: Representatives Greenwood
(R-PA), Pelosi (D-CA), Gilman (R-NY), Campbell (R-CA), Crowley (D-NY),
Morella (R-MD), Woolsey (D-CA), Kelly (R-NY), McKinney (D-GA), Thurman
(D-FL) and Weiner (D-NY). The bill currently has over 100 cosponsors.
H.R. 3634 authorizes $541.6 million for USAID and $35 million for UNFPA. The proposed levels for both bilateral (USAID) and multilateral (UNFPA) funded family planning programs represent an increase over FY2000 levels. Additionally, Representative Maloney's bill protects organizations that provide family planning services from having their funding jeopardized through burdensome restrictions.
S. 2380 - Saving Women's Lives through International Family Planning Act
of 2000
Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Barbara Boxer
(D-CA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the Senate counterpart to
Representative Maloney's bill in April during a series of events surrounding
a White House forum on World Health Day. The bill, S. 2380, requests an
increase in funding and a removal of the current restrictions as in the
language for H.R.3634, described above.
Timeline: Although both bills have been introduced and continue to gain support from other Members, neither bill has yet to come before House or Senate Committees.
II. "Global Democracy Promotion Act of 2000" Introduced in the House
Global Democracy Promotion Act of 2000 (H.R. 4211)
In addition to S. 2380, H.R. 4211, "Global Democracy Promotion Act of 2000,"
was also introduced April 6 during events surrounding the White House forum
on World Health Day. The bill would repeal "global gag rule" restrictions
on international family planning assistance from USAID that were passed as
part of the FY2000 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. The bill was
introduced with four original cosponsors: Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY),
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Jim Greenwood (R-PA).
The global gag rule restrictions add measures that hinder the effectiveness and availability of family planning services to families desperately seeking this assistance. These restrictions force tax dollars to be used for accounting and administration, instead of actual services.
Furthermore, in its current form the global gag rule contains harmful implications for the free speech and democratic activities of foreign non-governmental organizations that receive U.S. population assistance. The U.S. restrictions impose policies internationally that would be unconstitutional in our own country - and only to the recipients of family planning assistance.
Timeline: Although the bill continues to gain support, it has yet to come before a House Committee for further consideration.
III. Roadblocks to International Family Planning Placed in a Senate Authorization Bill by Senator Jessie Helms (R-NC)
The Technical Assistance, Trade Promotion and Anti-Corruption Act of 2000
(S. 2382)
A new Senate Authorization bill (S. 2382) singles out family planning
programs to be subjected to unreasonable oversight that would ultimately
undermine the programs' integrity. Language in S. 2382 seeks to place
unnecessary contingencies and additional bureaucratic layers on family
planning programs. These burdensome provisions include:
- Mandating that USAID must "certify" that each organization receiving U.S.
family planning assistance has not violated the 1973 Helms amendment**. The
additional certification process would be mandated despite the fact that in
the 27 years since passage of the Helms amendment no violations of the law
have ever been reported. (**The 1973 Helms Amendment bans the use of any
U.S. taxpayer monies for the delivery of abortion services here or abroad.)
- Requiring a certification process that is out of sync with federal
contracting timelines, causing the timely disbursements of funding to be
impossible.
- Rendering any organization found in violation of the Helms amendment
ineligible for ALL U.S. foreign assistance for a period of ten years.
If written into law, S2382 would subject family planning programs to a more snarled and stilted funding and review process with more severe punishments than almost all other foreign aid recipients.
Timeline: Due to discrepancies in jurisdiction between some Senate Committees, the bill's progress has been stalled. Additionally, there is no companion House bill. So, even if the bill were to emerge from the Senate, its future without House support is uncertain.
IV. FY 2001 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill - Includes Increased Funding and Ends Current Restrictions on International Family Planning
Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations
Act of 2001(S.2522)
The second week in May, after working its way through the full Senate
Appropriations committee, the Senate bill appropriating monies for all
foreign assistance programs for FY2001 was introduced. S. 2522 contains a
number of positive measures for voluntary international family planning and
population assistance programs, largely due to the efforts of Senator Leahy
(D-VT). Incorporated into S. 2522 are:
- A $40 million increase over the current funding level of $385 million for
USAID's population assistance programs.
- The same FY 2000 funding level of $25 million for UNFPA, but without
current programmatic restrictions.
- A repeal of the "global gag rule" restrictions that were placed on
international family planning assistance from USAID as a part of the FY2000
Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. The language repealing the
restrictions was modeled from H.R. 4211 - the "Global Democracy Promotion
Act of 2000." (see reference to H.R. 4211 above)
Timeline: Although no date has been set for full Senate consideration of S. 2522, it will most likely occur in the very near future. Normally, the full Senate Appropriations committee does not "mark-up"(craft and revise the bill's language) and introduce a bill unless it is expected to reach the Senate Floor in a short timeframe.
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If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me.
Annette Souder
Senior Population Policy Associate
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20006
202-861-2242 Ext. 3013
asouder@audubon.org
WOA!! Do we need your help! This is news we had no time to file properly. We are looking for a 'Politics/Funding' section chief (volunteer) to organize this mess in a more logical fashion. To apply for the job, go ahead and reorganize this page (a wee bit of HTML knowledge required), and email it to me, HTML and all. Please maintain the current web site style.