Seeking to show the repercussions of the gag rule, PIH Engage member, Matt Zinck, writes to the Metro West Daily News calling out Donald Trump on his reinstating of the regressive gag rule through his recent executive order. His letter then looks to the Reach Every Mother and Child Act as an example of good policy that could drastically lower the rates of child and maternal mortality. His letter to the editor can be found below.
On Jan. 23, President Trump signed an executive order reinstating the global gag rule. This directive restricts foreign aid organizations that receive federal funds from providing abortion information, referrals, services, or engaging in abortion rights advocacy. While surely a frightening foreshadowing for domestic reproductive rights, this action reminds us that the ramifications of a Trump presidency extend far beyond our borders. Complications due to pregnancy and childbirth are the second leading cause of death for girls aged 15 to 19, and their babies face a much higher risk of dying. In the past, the gag rule has actually increased the rate of unsafe abortions.
Over the past 25 years, U.S. foreign aid has contributed to an astonishing reduction in global child mortality, from 12.6 million in 1990 to 5.9 million in 2015. However, 16,000 children still die every day-mostly from treatable causes like diarrhea and pneumonia. Now is not the time to enact regressive global health policy, but rather to take bold action. The Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2015 (S.1911 and H.R. 3706) aims to end preventable child and maternal deaths by 2035. The law would institute new reforms, not requiring additional funding, to maximize our investments in global maternal and child health. This bipartisan bill has more than 200 cosponsors in the House and 35 in the Senate, including the entire Massachusetts delegation. Senators Markey and Warren and our Representatives should urge their respective Foreign Affairs Committee Chairs to bring this act to a vote.
The original publication from January 28th, 2017 in the Metro West Daily News can be seen here.