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 1994.
11.09 : Reproductive Health

Date: November 9, 1994
Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343

                                                        Reproductive Health

Through a series of executive and legislative proposals, the Clinton Administration has helped ensure
that women and men can make their own reproductive health decisions safely, with accurate
information and without interference.  The Administration continues to emphasize the need for
comprehensive family planning services, including education to ensure patient understanding of the
consequences of unprotected sexual activity and adequate provision of access to family planning and
reproductive health services.

                     The Role of the Department of Health and Human Services

Family Planning.  This Administration has given highest priority to development of
contraceptive methods that also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted disease--an especially
important issue for women.  Streamlined FDA procedures have made it possible to get two
new products to market years ahead of schedule:  the female condom and new male condoms
made from plastic polymers.

Improved Information and Access.  The Clinton Administration has worked to ensure that
all women cared for through Federal family planning programs have access to uncensored
information, including abortion counseling when requested, by lifting the "Gag Rule."

Equity and Choice.  Crucial changes in the Hyde Amendment mean that women whose lives
are endangered by pregnancy or who have become pregnant as a result of rape or incest will
no longer be denied the choice of abortion in Federally funded health care programs.

Research on Reproductive Health.  The department has restored reproductive health to its
proper place as an essential component of preventive health.  The President has lifted the
embargoes on research that left U.S. scientists years behind the rest of the world in scientific
investigation of drugs.  By eliminating barriers to human embryo research, the Administration
has restored opportunities to learn about early pregnancy problems that could benefit women
suffering repeated miscarriage.  Work in this area had been stymied by administrative rules
despite bipartisan support for ethical guidelines instituted more than a decade ago.

Population and Development.  The Clinton Administration has acknowledged the
tremendous costs of unintended pregnancy --personal human costs, social costs and health
care dollar costs -- both in the United States and internationally.  As one of the leaders at the
Cairo International Conference on Population and Development, the U.S. helped ensure the
adoption of a comprehensive program emphasizing: commitment to voluntary family planning
as a crucial part of reproductive health care; commitment to gender equity through improved
education and development; and achievement of these goals in the context of equitable
sustainable development.

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