In February, U.S. Representatives McCollum (D-MN), Oberstar (D-MN), Payne (D-NJ), Ramstad (R- MN) and Shays (R-CT) introduced the Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act of 2007 (H.R. 1225), a bill that bolsters U.S. international family planning assistance through the U.S. Agency for International Development.

What exactly does this bill do?
H.R. 1225 authorizes an increase in funding for international family planning programs implemented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Specifically, this bill would increase authorized funding for USAID’s voluntary family planning programs to $600 million in FY 2008, and then by an additional $100 million annually, over the next five years, reaching $1 billion in 2012. The bill prioritizes funding allocation to countries with acute family planning and maternal and child health needs, where contraceptive shortages are forecast, and where high population growth rates and crucial biological diversity intersect.

Original cosponsors are: McCollum [MN-4], Shays [CT-4], Oberstar [MN-8], Payne [NJ-10], Ramstad [MN-3], Brown [FL-3], Carson [IN-7]. See the text of HR 1225 and the most up-to-date list of co-sponsors.

What is the reasoning behind the Focus on Family Health Worldwide Act?
The need for family planning assistance has never been greater. This year world population will grow by more than 73 million people, and a billion people will be added to the world’s population between 2000 and 2015 – most of them in the poorest and most environmentally vulnerable countries.

Voluntary family planning has profound health, economic, and social benefits for families and communities. Since its international family planning programs began 40 years ago, the US has helped families worldwide to better feed, clothe, educate, and provide health care for their children. Family planning also enables couples to determine whether, when, and how often to have children, which is vital to safe motherhood and healthy families. A growing unmet need for modern contraceptives and health care in the least developed nations urgently requires renewed US commitment to voluntary family planning programs.

Why does National Audubon Society support international voluntary family planning?
Audubon and our conservation partners understand that population growth, environmental degradation and habitat loss are global problems that transcend national boundaries and need urgent global attention. One way we can succeed is by increasing funding for international family planning programs, which educate families, supply basic health care and reduce pressure on natural resources essential for the survival of ALL species.