For the past two years, President Bush has withheld U.S. funding for international health care programs that serve poor women and their families. This evening, the U.S. Senate is expected to take up the issues of re-funding UNFPA and global HIV/AIDS funding. You can help ensure that women worldwide have access to family planning services and comprehensive AIDS prevention programs. Please urge your Senator to support the Leahy and Feinstein amendments today.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I support funding for the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) because it is the single largest global source of multilateral funding for maternal health and family planning programs, providing desperately needed health care services to poor women and their families in 150 countries. I also believe that people everywhere need to have comprehensive education about preventing the spread of HIV.

During consideration of the FY2004 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, please support the amendments from Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The Leahy amendment will clarify current U.S. law around the UNFPA and allow it to receive money from the U.S. For the past two years, President Bush has withheld all U.S. funding to UNFPA. The loss of U.S. funding has had a grave impact on UNFPA programs and the people they serve. The Feinstein amendment will clarify current law regarding global HIV funding to support comprehensive AIDS prevention strategies, including those that provide, but are not limited to, information about abstinence as a means to prevent the spread of HIV.

I urge you to protect international family planning and comprehensive Global AIDS prevention; vote for the Leahy and Feinstein amendments.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 27, 2003