July 13, 2009

The U.S. Senate is in the process of allocating funding for various priorities in the FY2010 State/Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, and needs to know that you support health investments for women and girls.  The Bill now includes an amendment introduced by Senator Lautenberg that would ensure that a new Administration cannot reinstate the Global Gag Rule. If passed, this would protect the ability of organizations that receive U.S. funding to refer patients to abortion services or participate in national dialogues about abortion rights.

This bill is expected to see floor action starting July 13, so action is required now. Click here to find your Senators and let them both know that you support health investments for women and girls and the elimination of a policy that negatively affects women and girls throughout the world.

Call or send an email using your own note or the text below:

Dear [Name],

I strongly urge you to include robust funding for global health programs in the FY2010 State/Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, including for contraception and family planning; safe pregnancies and deliveries; the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections; child health; malaria; tuberculosis; and neglected tropical diseases.

I also urge you to support the provision of this bill that protects the ability of organizations that receive U.S. funding to refer patients for abortion services or participate in national dialogues about abortions.  Ensuring that a new Administration cannot arbitrarily reinstate the Global Gag Rule is essential to promoting the health and rights of women and girls throughout the world.  U.S. funding for programs like these in developing countries are less than 1% of the federal budget, but, when implemented without restriction, can have a positive impact on the lives of so many people, and help to ensure every woman's right to a just and healthy life.

Sincerely,
[Name]

To learn more about the steps the United States can take to protect women's and girls' health and rights worldwide, click here.

To learn more about current U.S. legislation and advocacy opportunities, click here.  

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