The "global gag rule," technically known as the Mexico City Policy after its creation by the Reagan administration in Mexico City in 1984. The switch on this rule has been flipped on and off by each president since, and recently activated in its most extreme form by President Donald Trump a mere three days after his inauguration. This policy essentially ceases any and all government funding for international health organizations that perform, promote, or mention abortion. These cuts will affect countries worldwide, including some of the poorest nations that rely on international aid to support not only family planning, but maternal health and HIV support as well. Thanks to the gag rule, these funds will experience dramatic decreases or cease altogether.
Previously, when the gag rule was reinstated by President Bush, the abortion rates in countries that lost funding actually doubled from lack of contraceptives and comprehensive care. Knowing this, I have to say President Trump, I wish you were truly pro-life. This gag rule is not a restriction of federal funding for abortion- the Helms Amendment took care of this in 1973. Rather, the gag rule restricts all funding for both American and international providers working overseas who even dare to utter the word. Does this reduce abortion rates? Absolutely not. We've already seen this here in America. What does happen is that people lose access not only to contraceptives and reproductive education, but also to maternal/fetal medicine and all other more advanced services that international aid organizations have to offer. Under President Trump, these restrictions will be broader than ever before, restricting up to 15 times more funding and impacting services such as HIV/AIDS testing and treatment and Zika prevention.
President Trump, I wish you were pro-life. I wish you cared about the lives that will be lost to increased abortion rates, deadly unsafe abortions, HIV/AIDS, and preventable pregnancy birth complications. I wish you listened to actual doctors and researchers when they tell you what is truly effective in preventing abortion rates and subsequently lowering poverty. I wish you had as much respect for those truly in need as you do for fetuses and billionaires. Because, as you like to say, all lives matter.
