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Thursday, April 7, 2005
Reproductive Health: A win for freedom
Although President Bush talks about spreading freedom everywhere, the administration won't like the Republican-controlled Senate's most recent action.
Senators voted 52-to-46 on Tuesday to repeal the global gag rule on international family-planning assistance. The restriction, which Bush imposed when he first took office, blocks the use of U.S. money by any organization that even mentions the availability of abortion to women.
As Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., observed during the debate, open discussions between physicians and patients are important. But, she said, "If you're a medical professional living in an impoverished country ... you're gagged from even talking about certain health care services. ... We wouldn't stand for that in the United States."
Even if the House of Representatives goes along with the Senate, the president might veto the repeal. But gags on foreign physicians contradict talk about the United States advancing freedom for all.
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| Should America require Third World family planning clinics to block mention of abortion to receive U.S. aid? | |
 9.4%Yes. It's our money |
88.2% No. Honest discussion between physicians and patients is fundamental |
| 1.8% Sometimes but not always |
0.6% Not sure/Don't care |
| Total Votes: 331 | |
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