The Mexico City Policy, issued by President Trump on Jan. 23, could affect non-governmental organizations primarily focused on fighting the spread of infectious disease, according to NBC New York.
The policy, which restricts foreign U.S. aid recipients from providing abortions, has been taken on and off the table by presidential administrations since its first iteration in the 1980s. Under the Trump administration, the policy's reach has been expanded to carry new provisions that will likely impact NGOs in unexpected ways.
Here are three things to know about the Mexico City Policy expansion and its potential influence on the global fight against infectious disease, according to NBC New York.
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1. The policy was first introduced under President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and was last implemented by President George W. Bush prior to President Barack Obama's withdrawal of the policy in 2009.
2. Under previous administrations, the policy has barred foreign recipients of American aid for family planning from using the funds to provide abortions, educate patients on the procedure or publicly advocate for the operation. The funds typically affected by the policy totaled about $575 million.
3. Under the Trump administration, the rule has been extended to affect NGOs that are primarily focused on fighting the spread of infectious diseases like HIV, malaria, cancer, tuberculosis and Zika. The rule could disrupt up to $9.5 billion in aid if the international groups do not change their stance on abortion.
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