Health Advocates, Providers Concerned Over Impacts Of Expanded Mexico City Policy

Christian Post: President Trump’s Global Gag Rule Affects Fight to End the Spread of HIV/AIDS
“With United States President Donald Trump reinstating the global gag rule, a lot of advocates are worried about its imminent repercussion not only in preventing abortion but also on the ongoing fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic…” (Dumaroag, 1/26).

The Economist: A policy intended to cut abortions is likely to do just the opposite
“…Previously, the Mexico City policy applied only to aid for family planning programs … Mr. Trump’s version covers all global health aid … Nobody knows how many NGOs will shun money under the new rules. The casualties may include the foot soldiers in America’s global campaign against HIV/AIDS, which has beaten back the disease in Africa. (George W. Bush made an exception for HIV/AIDS when he resurrected the Mexico City rules.) Supporters of the policy see it as pro-life. Sadly, the probable outcome may be just the opposite” (1/28).

The Guardian: ‘Global gag rule’: stop playing politics with women’s lives, MSF tells Trump
“Médecins Sans Frontières has told the Trump administration to stop ‘playing politics’ with women’s rights and other global health efforts after the new U.S. president reintroduced a policy likely to affect millions of women and girls around the world. … MSF is not directly affected by the gag rule since it relies on donations rather than U.S. government funds to provide its services. Nonetheless, the organization pointed out that it treats women and girls with abortion-related complications daily…” (Hodal et al., 1/26).

The Guardian: ‘Global gag rule’ jeopardizes future of Asia health initiatives, campaigners say
“Women’s health advocates across Asia have said Donald Trump’s decision to reinstate and beef up the ‘global gag rule’ will result in hundreds of thousands of unwanted pregnancies and imperil programs aimed at improving sanitation, treating AIDS, and protecting LGBT activists. Health providers and advocacy groups in Delhi, Phnom Penh, Jakarta, and beyond have been holding emergency meetings since Tuesday’s announcement that U.S. aid funding was now contingent on organizations abandoning their abortion advocacy work, services, or information…” (Safi/Hodal, 1/26).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

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