I’ll offer an amendment on #GGR to the FY 19 State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill that’s being marked up now. Preview here: http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/the-administration/393023-we-will-not-go-back-on-womens-health-and-rights … @thehill
-
-
The Administration implemented this policy with NO analysis of its impact and has admitted there could be unanticipated effects.
Show this thread -
While the Administration is still “assessing” the impact, reports indicate that thousands of women have lost access to services from the most experienced providers who have been forced to close their doors.
Show this thread -
Meanwhile, mass confusion about the policy has led to a chilling effect, causing organizations to unnecessarily change or eliminate vital health services.
Show this thread -
We already know the Global Gag Rule, when only applied to family planning programs, hurts the health of men, women, and children. The expansion to all global health without knowing the precise impact is not only bad policy, it jeopardizes lives.
Show this thread -
One provider has estimated that approximately 2 million women will be denied reproductive health services as a result of the expanded policy.
Show this thread -
We have seen this in our travels. When I was in Cambodia in 2001, I met a woman, thin as a rail, when she came into a U.S. funded clinic with six or seven malnourished children trailing behind her. And she was noticeably pregnant with her next...
Show this thread -
Under this expanded policy: o Her doctor can’t have a factual convo about her health w/o worrying if even a simple convo would risk entire clinic’s funding. o Her kids’ doctors have to sign onto a policy regarding abortion before discussing handwashing or providing immunizations.
Show this thread -
My amendment does not change any of the current provisions in law that restrict the use of family planning funds. It would simply ensure that countries are setting their own health policies – not the United States.
Show this thread -
The lives saved from our work in maternal health, HIV, malaria or other diseases should be a source of pride for every U.S. citizen. Inserting the
#GGR into all global health programs will diminish effectiveness of this work & reduce our country’s role as a global health leader.Show this thread -
In closing, my amend doesnt change long-standing prohibition on funding for abortions. It simply allows aid recipients the ability to use their own resources, within the legal constraints of their countries, as they deem necessary to best serve men, women, and children in need.
Show this thread -
This destructive policy endangers our most successful global health programs. While we are just beginning to learn the impact of the expanded policy, the alarm bells are already ringing.
Show this thread -
We cannot, under any circumstance, allow this policy to be codified into law, as it will hit the most vulnerable the hardest, including those who are unable to access services due to stigma, poverty, violence, or HIV status.
Show this thread -
The House majority rejected my amendment to strike the expanded Global Gag Rule as well as the ban on funding for the United Nations Population Fund. Democrats will keep fighting to best serve men, women, and children in need!
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.