The "global gag rule" disqualifies foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from eligibility for US family planning assistance through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), if with their own money (non-US) they provide legal abortion services or "lobby" on abortion. The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest independent organization of medical students, supports the efforts to eliminate the "Global Gag Rule" from the foreign operations appropriations bill for the fiscal year 2001.

How does this law affect women?

The general reduction in international family planning spending, coupled with the "gag rule", generally reduces access to contraceptives for women in developing nations. The result is more unintended pregnancies, more births, more maternal deaths and injuries, and more abortions.

How does this law affect the democratic process?

Among the primary goals of US foreign policy is the promotion of democracy and the democratic participation of the people. However, the "gag rule" effectively targets free speech. It imposes limitations on the abilities of foreign NGOs to influence the policies of their own government and the kinds of information they may develop and disseminate with their own funds.

The "Global Gag Rule" does:

• Make it harder to meet the critical health care needs of women in developing countries.
• Interfere with the democratic process in other countries.
• Restrict foreign organizations in a way that would be considered unconstitutional here in the US.

The "Global Gag Rule" does not:

• Reduce the incidence of or the need for abortion services worldwide.
• Change the fact that no US funds are used to subsidize abortion services.
• Change the fact that no US funds are used for changing abortion laws overseas.

In order to meet the family planning needs of developing nations -thus ensuring healthy children and mothers- and in the interest of promoting consistent foreign policy, we hope you will join us in supporting the efforts to eliminate the "Global Gag Rule" from the FY2001 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill. Please contact AMSA's Jack Rutledge Legislative Director at (703) 620-6600 x256 or at jrld@amsa.org, if you have any questions.