US to Demand Decades of Abortion Data from Developing Countries in Exchange for Health Funding
The Trump administration has unveiled a template aid agreement that would require countries receiving global health assistance to share significant amounts of sensitive data with the US. This includes detailed information on healthcare practices, pathogen surveillance, and even abortion policies. The deal is part of America First Global Health Strategy, which seeks to eliminate multilateral cooperation in international health initiatives.
The proposal, which has been obtained by The Intercept, would give the US sweeping authority to collect data on a range of issues for 25 years, raising concerns about potential misuse. Critics say that this approach undermines critical national public health responses and serves the administration's anti-abortion agenda.
According to Melissa Cockroft, global lead on abortion for International Planned Parenthood Federation, "The [agreement] is just another example of the Trump Administration's playbook for using its power and influence to further its anti-choice agenda and undermine critical national public health responses."
Critics argue that these agreements are highly unbalanced, giving the US excessive control over sensitive data. Experts warn that this could lead to misuse, particularly given the Trump administration's efforts to restrict abortion access globally.
In January, President Donald Trump reinstated the global gag rule, which prevents foreign organizations from providing information or services related to abortion care. Requests for "any data" from the US government raise concerns about how the information will be used and to what ends.
While some countries may feel pressured into accepting these deals due to funding constraints, experts caution that the risks far outweigh any potential benefits. As Mitchell Warren, executive director of AVAC, noted, "The part about Helms and requiring compliance information on that for 25 years, along with everything else, does raise some concerns about what [the administration] is doing with this."
Ultimately, critics say that these deals represent a full-blown authoritarian takeover of US foreign policy, stripping Congress of its power and compromising the country's commitment to public health.
The Trump administration has unveiled a template aid agreement that would require countries receiving global health assistance to share significant amounts of sensitive data with the US. This includes detailed information on healthcare practices, pathogen surveillance, and even abortion policies. The deal is part of America First Global Health Strategy, which seeks to eliminate multilateral cooperation in international health initiatives.
The proposal, which has been obtained by The Intercept, would give the US sweeping authority to collect data on a range of issues for 25 years, raising concerns about potential misuse. Critics say that this approach undermines critical national public health responses and serves the administration's anti-abortion agenda.
According to Melissa Cockroft, global lead on abortion for International Planned Parenthood Federation, "The [agreement] is just another example of the Trump Administration's playbook for using its power and influence to further its anti-choice agenda and undermine critical national public health responses."
Critics argue that these agreements are highly unbalanced, giving the US excessive control over sensitive data. Experts warn that this could lead to misuse, particularly given the Trump administration's efforts to restrict abortion access globally.
In January, President Donald Trump reinstated the global gag rule, which prevents foreign organizations from providing information or services related to abortion care. Requests for "any data" from the US government raise concerns about how the information will be used and to what ends.
While some countries may feel pressured into accepting these deals due to funding constraints, experts caution that the risks far outweigh any potential benefits. As Mitchell Warren, executive director of AVAC, noted, "The part about Helms and requiring compliance information on that for 25 years, along with everything else, does raise some concerns about what [the administration] is doing with this."
Ultimately, critics say that these deals represent a full-blown authoritarian takeover of US foreign policy, stripping Congress of its power and compromising the country's commitment to public health.
this is so messed up! they're basically trying to control every aspect of healthcare in other countries just to push their own agenda on abortion 
. it's like, what's next? them coming after our social media data too?! 
and 25 years of data is insane! that's like, a whole generation of people who are gonna have their secrets exposed 
and this deal is super unbalanced, it's like they're taking everything from other countries and giving them nothing in return 
. we need to speak out against this ASAP before it's too late! 
It sounds like the US is trying to get way too much control over other countries' healthcare data and policies. I mean, 25 years? That's just too long. What if they use that data to manipulate or coerce other nations into changing their laws or practices? It's like they're not trusting them to make their own decisions. And what about the countries that can't afford to say no to this deal because of funding constraints? They might feel forced into giving up their autonomy and freedom to choose how to handle healthcare issues in their own country... 
I don't get why they need all that info from other countries for health funding 
like what's so sensitive about abortion policies or healthcare practices? Can't we just focus on helping people in need without spying on each other 
? It sounds like the US is trying to exert too much control over other countries and it's not right. We should be working together, sharing knowledge and expertise, not holding each other back with bureaucratic red tape 
. I mean, what's next? Demanding our social media usage habits? 
That just feels like a power grab to me 
They're trying to control every single aspect of healthcare in those countries... like, what's next? Monitoring our snacking habits too? 
I mean, I get that they want to protect US interests and all, but do they really need to pry into every little thing? It's just not right. And 25 years is forever! That's a whole lotta data... and what if it falls into the wrong hands? 
This whole thing gives me the heebie-jeebies.