Budget Proposal Figures Show Cuts in Funding for
International Family Planning Programs

President Bush's budget proposal for the first time since he took office includes "sharp cuts" for funding of international family planning programs, which the Bush administration previously said were "one of the best ways to prevent abortion," the New York Times reports. Bush since 2001 has said he would maintain the funding of such programs at $425 million, according to a White House news release (Dugger, New York Times, 2/15). Bush five years ago reinstated the "Global Gag Rule," also known as the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits federal funds from going to abortion services overseas and denies family planning aid to international organizations that use their own funds to provide abortion counseling or services. The approximately $425 million went to overseas organizations in developing countries to promote family planning, and most was used for nutrition and counseling, advocates said, adding that the gag rule might limit the family planning money that is available (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/23/01). According to fiscal year 2007 budget proposal figures that Ed Fox, an assistant administrator at USAID, provided Wednesday as part of a comprehensive estimate of financing from the State Department and USAID, the FY 2007 budget proposal would reduce funding for overseas family planning programs 18%, from $436 million to $357 million. Fox said that other parts of the budget contain proposed increases for initiatives that will help women, such as programs to fight sexual violence against African women, HIV/AIDS and malaria. He added, "This is a much better budget than we've had in the past for women's health." However, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, said, "It's ironic that an administration outwardly committed to reducing the incidence of abortion would take away valuable tools for preventing unwanted pregnancies" (New York Times, 2/15).

Kaiser Network Daily Women's Health Policy 2/15/06