US: House of Reps approves increases for global reproductive health

CHANGE Matters (www.genderhealth.org)

On June 17, 2009, the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee approved its fiscal year 2010 bill. Chaired by Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D -NY), the total funding for global health was about $7.684 billion. International reproductive health and family planning funding totaled $648 million, including $60 million for UNFPA. The international reproductive health and family planning appropriation is an increase of $103 million above the President's request. In addition to the reproductive health funding, $5.7 billion was appropriated for global HIV and AIDS programs, including $700 million for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria - a $100 million increase above the President's request. Maternal and Child Health funding totaled $541 million, about $17.5 million above the President's request.

Historically, international reproductive health and family planning funding has decreased steadily by about 42% since 1995. Increases to the funding stream in recent years have been made possible by the tireless efforts of sexual and reproductive health and rights advocates and the leadership of Chairwoman Lowey. Chairwoman Lowey's commitment to promoting the health and rights of women and girls has set an example for other Congressional leaders as they consider support for critical health and development programs. Chairwoman Lowey's press release outlines the appropriation of funding for foreign aid programs for fiscal year 2010.

The full House Appropriations Committee approved the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill on 23 June 2009. Once the appropriations bills are approved in full committee, the House of Representatives will vote on the appropriations package in its entirety. The Senate will begin deliberations over appropriations for fiscal year 2010 shortly after the July 4 recess.