2005-2006 Regular Session 1st House HR 4736

Summary: This bill offers a realistic approach to reducing the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions among women in the developing world – despite obstacles put in place by the Bush Administration. This bill allows foreign non-governmental family planning providers to be exempt from the restrictions of the Administration’s Global Gag Rule – or to some, the Mexico City Policy – and enables them to provide USAID-donated condoms and contraceptives to patients.  In addition, the bill provides an additional $150 million annually for FY 2006-2007 for USAID to provide a consistent and sustainable supply of condoms and contraceptives in developing nations. This funding level would double the amount that is currently spent by USAID on contraceptives.

What You Should Know: Currently the world is home to the largest generation ever of young people who are in their reproductive age.  In the next decade, the numbers are estimated to exponentially increase – for example, the number of women of reproductive age is estimated to double in the Nigeria in the next 25 years. This boost in young people will subsequently result in a 40 per cent increase in the number of people who desire contraception. According to the bill, there are more than 200 million women in developing countries who wish to have but cannot access modern contraceptives. Providing contraceptives to these 200 million women would result in the annual prevention of 23 million unwanted pregnancies, 7 million spontaneous abortions, 1. 4 million infant deaths, 142,000 pregnancy-related deaths, and 505,000 children would not have to experience the death of their mother. Access to family planning and contraceptives is both essential and imperative in reducing unintended pregnancies and the incidence of abortion. 

In addition, with rapidly growing rates of HIV infection among young people, expanding access to both male and female condoms is an important element for preventing the spread of this disease, as well as other sexually transmitted infections.

Primary Sponsor(s):  Rep. Robert Simmons (R-CT)

Introduction Date: February 8, 2006

Last Major Action:  2/8/06.  Referred to the House International Relations Committee for further action.