"Global gag rule" reinstated by Trump, curbing NGO abortion services abroad

In one of a number of sharp reversals from the Obama era, Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order banning international NGOs from providing abortion services or offering information about abortions if they receive US funding.

The rule will put thousands of international healthcare workers in the difficult position of deciding whether to continue to offer family planning care that includes abortion at the expense of a critical funding stream.

The US is the single largest donor to global health efforts, providing nearly $ 3bn toward health efforts through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) alone. The state department and groups like the Peace Corps offer additional funding.

Many international health advocates insist that their efforts are not comprehensive without abortion services. Unsafe abortions are a major cause of maternal mortality and kill tens of thousands of women every year.

What is the ‘global gag rule’, and why does Trump support it?

“President Trump’s reinstatement of the global gag rule ignores decades of research, instead favoring ideological politics over women and families,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat who serves on the foreign relations committee.

“We know that when family planning services and contraceptives are easily accessible, there are fewer unplanned pregnancies, maternal deaths and abortions.

“And when women have control over their reproductive health, it improves the long-term health of mothers and children and creates a lasting economic benefit.”

Trump’s signature reinstates a Reagan-era rule that was not in effect for most of the Obama administration. The order does not eliminate international aid for abortions, which is already prohibited by federal law under the Helms amendment. Rather, the gag rule takes the Helms amendment one step further by preventing NGOs from using private funds to offer abortions or even refer women to groups that provide abortions.

The gag rule also prevents health workers in foreign countries from advocating for abortion rights, which includes testifying about the impacts of illegal abortion.

The rule does not enjoy uniform support along party lines. In 2015, Senate legislation introduced by Shaheen that would have made the gag rule impossible to reinstate by executive order attracted support from several moderate Republicans.

Still, the reinstatement of the global gag rule, also known as the Mexico City policy, has been long sought by opponents of abortion rights. To their eyes, funding groups that perform or even discuss abortions is tantamount to funding the procedure.

“President Trump is continuing Ronald Reagan’s legacy by taking immediate action on day one to stop the promotion of abortion through our tax dollars overseas,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion political advocacy group Susan B Anthony List.

“President Trump’s immediate action to promote respect for all human life, including vulnerable unborn children abroad, as well as conscience rights, sends a strong signal about his administration’s pro-life priorities.”

Trump is not the first president to reinstate the rule after it was suspended. George W Bush signed a similar order when he entered office in 2001.

As a result, more than 20 developing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East lost access to contraceptives provided by the US and many NGOs were forced to shut down or lay off staff, according to EngenderHealth, a global women’s health organization that supports abortion rights.

EngenderHealth observed the impact in three places – Kenya, Nepal and Zambia – and found that in these countries, the gag rule reduced the availability of family planning services, HIV programs and maternal and child health programs.

"Global gag rule" reinstated by Trump, curbing NGO abortion services abroad

Healthier foods rating site could be reinstated inside of weeks

The foods rating internet site pulled down soon after intervention from the assistant overall health minister’s office in controversial conditions could be reinstated inside of weeks.

State and territory well being ministers have agreed to help the well being star rating method which will see foods labelled for its dietary value. The method also has a internet site featuring a calculator to rate the healthiness of diverse meals.

The web site was launched in February but pulled down within hours after the workplace of assistant wellness minister, Fiona Nash, intervened. Nash’s chief of personnel, Alastair Furnival, resigned his place right after his back links to junk food companies have been unveiled.

Junk foods businesses have lobbied heavily against the web site and rating program, claiming it would be puzzling for consumers. Guardian Australia understands there was no vote on regardless of whether to reinstate the website at the meeting, but instead the ministers agreed they would assistance the program following a discussion.

Michael Moore, chief executive of the Public Overall health Association of Australia (PHAA), said he anticipated the website to be up and working as early as subsequent week now the forum had endorsed it and buyers could see meals star ratings on goods inside of 3 months.

Employing the rating technique on food packaging will be voluntary for the up coming five years and there will be a assessment of the technique inside of two years.

“It is now above to market. There is a clear opportunity for business to assist in tackling the obesity epidemic. Customers will appreciate the possibility to have clear details [about] the dietary articles of the food that they obtain and eat. It is so straightforward, the a lot more stars the more healthy the food,” Moore mentioned.

“It has been a difficult negotiation from the beginning with compromises on both sides.”

Nash chaired the forum but did not respond straight to inquiries about whether or not she had any worries about the rating system. Her workplace alternatively sent through a basic statement which incorporated the line “Minister Nash welcomed New Zealand’s selection to join the wellness star rating technique on a voluntary basis, and acknowledged the work and communication among the Australian and New Zealand Governments with regards to the wellness star rating system”.

After the site was initially pulled in February, Nash stated it was due to the fact it went up also swiftly and was not ready. Queries have been raised about Furnival’s backlinks to junk meals organizations and it was exposed he still had a stake in the lobbying firm Australian Public Affairs (APA) owned by his wife, Tracey Cain.

APA has acted for Cadbury’s parent business, the snack meals giant Mondelez, as effectively as the soft drink business group the Australian Drinks Council.

Ministers at the forum agreed the Australian Overall health Ministers Advisory Council would host the rating calculator and design guide until the launch of the web site which will come about soon after a public training campaign.

A reference group under the Front-of-Pack Oversight Committee will be tasked with communicating with modest companies to assist with the program.

Ministers at the forum also considered a report on warning labels on alcohol for pregnant women and agreed to maintain it voluntary with a overview in two many years.

Healthier foods rating site could be reinstated inside of weeks