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Joe Biden signed some measures to reverse health policies implemented by Donald Trump’s Administration. The president immediately reversed a federal policy that prohibits taxpayer-funded abortion funding for international organizations that provide abortion counseling or information.
This is the “Mexico City Policy” that has been reversed or implemented repeatedly depending on which party controls the majority in the Senate.
The measure was repealed during Bill Clinton’s presidency, re-implemented during George W. Bush’s term and removed again during Barack Obama’s Administration.
Under Biden, this policy, in addition to being rescinded, could also be in danger of disappearing altogether if the Administration heeds the pleas of abortion activists and advocates who are calling on Congress to pass the Global HER Act, which would permanently ban the rule.
Should the White House support this, given the Democratic majority in Congress, Reagan’s measure could be finally buried.
“Across the country and around the world, access to reproductive health care has been denied to people, particularly women, Black, Indigenous and other people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and low-income people,” the White House said in a statement announcing that Biden will “protect and expand access to comprehensive reproductive health care” through a presidential memorandum.
“The memorandum reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s policy of supporting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls in the United States, as well as globally,” it says.
Poll: Majority opposes taxpayer-funded abortion
A new poll reveals that a majority of Americans oppose government support for abortions and, especially, for them to be funded by taxpayers.
Fifty-eight percent of the population disagrees with the use of taxpayer money to support abortion, according to a poll released by Marist and the Knights of Columbus.
The poll came just as Democrats press the Biden administration to make good on a campaign promise to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which prevents funding abortions with part of federal tax dollars.
The poll showed that a majority of those who identified themselves as “pro-choice” (19%) and “pro-life” (77%) supported at least some restrictions on abortion.
The survey also indicated opposition to funding abortions overseas: “Do you support, oppose, or strongly oppose the use of tax dollars to support abortion in other countries?”
A majority opposed or strongly opposed such a proposal, including those who identified themselves as “pro-choice.”
A population of 1,173 adults was interviewed for the study from January 11 through January 13, 2021. The results are statistically significant with a margin of error of ± 3.5 percentage points.
The survey data comes just days before the March for Life, which this year will be held virtually under the theme “Together Strong: Life Unites.”
Polls have shown over time that voters tend to support some restrictions on abortion. In May, for example, Gallup revealed that 50% of voters thought abortion should be legal only in certain circumstances. And while a plurality says abortion is “immoral,” moderates (55%) tend to identify as pro-choice.
Biden “Catholic,” but supports abortion funding
At the beginning of his career as a senator, Biden opposed abortion, however, over the years he may have changed his mind. The now President of the United States went from condemning the murder of unborn babies, to thinking about lifting the veto on funding for programs related to the voluntary interruption of pregnancy that Trump had imposed.
Biden, who claims to be devoted to the Catholic Church, would even be willing to reverse several of the most restrictive sexual and reproductive health policies implemented by Trump, including limits on abortion.
In 2019, after facing criticism from progressive Democratic constituents, he dropped his support for the Hyde Amendment, which is a longstanding policy restricting federal funding for abortions. The Democrat also promised to set into law the provisions of Roe v. Wade and to fight state policies that limit access to abortion, as reported by NBC.
Sabrina Martín Rondon is a Venezuelan journalist. Her source is politics and economics. She is a specialist in corporate communications and is committed to the task of dismantling the supposed benefits of socialism // Sabrina Martín Rondon es periodista venezolana. Su fuente es la política y economía. Es especialista en comunicaciones corporativas y se ha comprometido con la tarea de desmontar las supuestas bondades del socialismo