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Obama reverses abortion-funding policy - CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/23/obama.abortion/index.html

Obama reverses abortion-funding policy

    * Story Highlights
    * "Mexico City policy" prohibits U.S. funding of some foreign 
family-planning groups
    * It was begun by Reagan, canceled by Clinton, reinstated by Bush
    * Order comes one day after Roe v. Wade anniversary

By Suzanne Malveaux
CNN White House Correspondent


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama signed an executive order Friday striking down a rule prohibiting U.S. money from 
funding international family planning groups that promote abortion or provide information, counseling or referrals about 
abortion services.
President Obama has decided to overturn a Republican-favored abortion funding 
policy.

President Obama has decided to overturn a Republican-favored abortion funding 
policy.

The order comes the day after the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion 
in the United States.

It reverses the "Mexico City policy," initiated by President Reagan in 1984, canceled by President Clinton and 
reinstated by President George W. Bush in 2001.

The policy, referred to by critics as "the global gag rule," was initially announced at a population conference in 
Mexico City.

Reversing the previous administrations' stance on the policy was one of Clinton's first acts as president in January 
1993 and the very first executive order issued by Bush on January 22, 2001, the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
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    * Obama backs 'right to choose' on Roe anniversary

Critics, including Planned Parenthood, called Bush's move a "legislative 
ambush."

He defended his action, saying, "It is my conviction that taxpayer funds should not be used to pay for abortion or 
actively promote abortion."

The group Population Action International praised Obama's move, saying in a statement that it will "save women's lives 
around the world."

"Family planning should not be a political issue; it's about basic health care and well-being for women and children," 
it said. "Women's health has been severely impacted by the cutoff of assistance. President Obama's actions will help 
reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, abortions and women dying from high-risk pregnancies because they don't 
have access to family planning."