Longstanding current law already keeps U.S. taxpayer funds from paying for abortions abroad. Since 1973, the Foreign Assistance Act has prohibited the use of U.S. funds for any abortion services overseas. The gag rule and other restrictions on family planning programs confuse the issue by restricting speech . Americans overwhelmingly support family planning . A 1998 poll by RAND found that 92 percent of Americans support the right to plan one s family, and 80 percent support international family planning services.
Family planning is a basic right and something people want worldwide .
Some 150 million married women already indicate a desire to plan their families, but lack access to family planning, which includes information, health screening, counseling, and contraceptive services. Demand for family planning is growing . Family planning saves women s lives. International family planning programs actually reduce abortions by p roviding vital public health services abroad. Nearly 500,000 women die each year in pregnancy and childbirth, and some 150 million married women already indicate the desire to plan their families but lack access to family planning and reproductive health services.