Bush Will Block US Funding for International Family Planning

President Bush’s anti-woman, anti-abortion position is clear this morning, as he announces his decision to block US funding for international groups that provide women around the world with family planning information, counseling and abortion services. Ronald Reagan first issued this order, known as the Mexico City policy, in 1984. President Clinton reversed the Mexico City policy shortly after taking office, allowing international family planning groups to use their own funds to provide abortion services.

The abortion pill RU-486, also known as mifepristone, which was approved in Sept 2000 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also faces close scrutiny. Governor Tommy Thompson at his confirmation hearing for Secretary of Heath & Human Services said there might be safety concerns with mifepristone, and when asked about RU-486 in a “Face the Nation” interview, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card said, “We are going to take a look at all of the regulations.” Mifepristone has been repeatedly tested and has been in use in many nations for the past dozen years. The FDA declared the drug safe and effective in 1996 and 2000. There are no safety concerns with mifepristone.

For more on the Bush Administration transition, visit www.TransitionWatch.org, co-sponsored by the Feminist Majority, Greenpeace, ACLU and the International Campaign for Tibet.

LEARN MORE Click here to read women's narratives about barriers or successes in accessing reproductive health and family planning services.

Media Resources: Feminist Majority Foundation, CNN - January 22, 2001; Washington Post - January 22, 2001

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