Boost for International Family Planning Assistance Advances

On July 1, the House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee approved $735 million for international family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) programs, $20 million more than what President Obama requested in his budget. The increase, which includes $60 million for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), was approved as part of a larger FY2011 appropriation bill for the State Department and U.S. foreign assistance programs.

The increase represents a 13 percent increase above the $648.5 million appropriated last year.  On July 29, however, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an appropriation of only $700 million for family planning and just $55 million for the U.N. Population Fund (UNFPA).  It’s anticipated that differences between the House and Senate Committee versions will not be resolved until after the elections.  The new fiscal year begins on October 1, 2010.