Bush policy hurts international clinics

In his first executive order, President George W. Bush denied family planning federal funding to overseas groups that provide abortion counseling or other methods of assistance to women seeking abortions. The order reversed the Clinton policy, introduced during former President Bill Clinton's first days in the White House, on aid to international family planning groups.\nWhile Bush should be commended for maintaining the amount of aid given to international programs, a total $425 million, taking away money from programs simply because they include abortion as a family planning option is wrong. \nMost of the international aid given to family planning groups overseas is given to groups in Third World countries. Some of these countries suffer from high populations and lack of food. Many have inadequate medical facilities or cannot afford medicines that make pregnancy safe or feasible for some women. It is easy to forget places in this world exist where resources and technology are drastically behind the United States. Overlooking the fact that not everyone can be taken care of in state-of-the-art facilities with state-of-the-art medical treatment. \nIsn't it better to have some family planning methods that could prevent overpopulation and starvation among the people?\nThe argument could be made that citizens do not want their tax dollars going overseas to pay for abortions. But these programs do more than pay for abortions. They help families plan for children, learn about abstinence or birth control and ensure the mothers have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Would you want those facilities to close because a small clinic in Kenya also happens to let women know they have the option to terminate their pregnancy? \nBy implementing this change on the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Bush seems to be sending a distinctly pro-life message.