McCollum Introduces Bill to Strengthen U.S. Commitment to Voluntary Family Planning in the Developing World
McCollum Introduces Bill to Strengthen U.S. Commitment to Voluntary Family Planning in the Developing World
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Bipartisan Common Sense, Common Ground Approach to Global Health
Co-sponsored by Reps. Ramstad, Oberstar and Shays
Washington, DC - Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) announced the introduction of the Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act (H.R. 4188), a bill to double the current U.S. commitment to voluntary family planning in developing counties between 2007 and 2011. The bipartisan legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Jim Ramstad (R-MN), James Oberstar (D-MN) and Christopher Shays (R-CT).
"In poor countries, the lack of modern contraception can mean women die, children are malnourished and vital natural resources are over stressed by rapidly growing populations. This bill calls for a new investment in keeping mothers, children and families healthy," McCollum said. "Our common sense and common ground approach should be supported by every member of Congress. Every mother and father deserve the ability to space their children's births so they can feed and educate them, rather than watching them die of malnutrition," McCollum stated.
The Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act will extend access to voluntary family planning to the poorest families in the poorest countries. The bill authorizes $4 billion for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) over five years, nearly doubling funding to support voluntary family planning, contraceptive procurement, logistical support, education, training, and distribution in developing countries. The bill also calls for greater integration between voluntary family planning programming and current HIV/AID prevention, treatment and care activities.
Since 1965, the U.S. has supported international voluntary family planning, helping increase the use of modern contraceptives in the developing world from fewer than 10 percent of couples to more than 40 percent of couples today. The FY2005 USAID budget for voluntary family planning was approximately $430 million or $0.03 per American per week.
http://www.mccollum.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={64C7914D-5761-4B66-9535-75F8756F9261}&DE={1FB62359-021B-421B-AEB6-FDF71A0F0B44}