McCollum Leads Push to Advance Voluntary Family Planning in the Developing World

Press Release

McCollum Leads Push to Advance Voluntary Family Planning in the Developing World

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) introduced the Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act (H.R. 1225) today, which will dramatically boost the United States' investment in international family planning. The bill provides $600 million in fiscal year 2008 funding for voluntary family planning throughout the developing world -- a sharp contrast to the 25 percent cut in funding proposed by the Bush administration.

Voluntary family planning programs, including education, reliable access to modern contraceptives, and improved maternity care, have the potential to save the lives of thousands of women and tens of thousands of infants in the developing world each year. By empowering families to choose when they have children, such programs greatly reduce maternal death risks, abortion rates, mother-to-child HIV/AIDS transmission, and strains placed on vital natural resources by rapid population growth.

"Support for voluntary family planning in developing countries is one of the most positive and profound expressions of U.S. global leadership," Congresswoman McCollum said today. "For forty years, this support has improved the lives of millions of women and families throughout the world. Increasing these efforts now will not only offer hope to millions more, but also build international stability, security and good will at a time when America desperately needs it."

While President Bush's 2008 budget proposes to cut international family planning funding by over $100 million, the Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act will instead increase funding to $600 million this year and $1 billion by 2012. The bill will also:

* Target assistance to developing countries with the most acute family planning and maternal health needs, including those with high birth-related mortality rates and limited access to modern contraceptives and skilled birth attendants;
* Improve coordination between U.S.-funded voluntary family planning programs and HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care programs;
* Work to ensure reliable procurement and distribution of modern contraceptives to families in need;
* Build local health infrastructures in the developing world.

The Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act is cosponsored by Reps. Jim Ramstad (R-MN), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Christopher Shays (R-CT), and Jim Oberstar (D-MN).

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