Lift restrictions on family planning centers abroad

Editorial for discussion:

"President Bush is undermining his goal of fighting AIDS by allowing his opposition to abortion to negatively affect basic health services and the distribution of contraception in Africa and elsewhere.Bush re-instated a Reagan-era rule five years ago that prevents any nongovernmental group from getting U.S. aid if it provides abortions or information on abortions.
The U.S. Senate voted to repeal the rule earlier this month. House members passed a similar provision allowing family planning groups abroad to distribute U.S.-provided contraceptives.

Bush should agree to drop the rule despite his opposition to abortion. The change could lead to more abortion referrals and counseling. But it also would significantly improve health care services, which should take priority.
Bush's restriction on aid to family planning centers abroad is largely unnecessary. In many countries, abortion is already illegal or allowed only in limited circumstances.

In addition, preventing groups from getting U.S. money if they provide abortions or abortion counseling has wide and harmful consequences.
Many family planning centers provide life-saving vaccinations and preventive care for children, pregnant women and poor people. These centers also offer contraceptives and counseling that help protect against HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions.

Several family planning centers have chosen not to abide by Bush's rule and closed or eliminated vital services because of a lack of funding:
• In Ivory Coast, the Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien-�tre Familial (AIBEF) lost $186,000 for contraceptive supplies, eliminating contraceptive services from nearly half of its 92 distribution points.
• The Family Planning Association of Kenya, which received an average of $580,000 per year to fund its clinics, had to close three urban clinics serving 56,000 poor and underserved clients.
• In Cameroon, loss of U.S. assistance forced the family planning association to close a youth center that taught young people about responsible parenting and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
• The 697,000 clients of Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana could lose access not only to family planning services, but also to counseling, testing and HIV/AIDS prevention education.

The funding restriction is unfair. Abortion is a constitutional right in the United States, and it is wrong of this administration to demand that people in other countries give up this choice.
And the rule is hindering democracy in other countries. It's hurting family planning centers that are pressuring their governments to improve health care, prevent unsafe abortions and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Bush must recognize the value of these centers and offer U.S. funding and assistance without unreasonable restrictions."