The Lingering Harm of the Global Gag Rule
American Attitudes on the Global Gag Rule
Results of a Bipartisan National Poll
Over half (59%) of likely American voters oppose banning U.S. global health assistance to health care organizations in other countries that provide abortions or referrals to women even if they use their own funding. Three-in-ten (30%) favor banning assistance to these organizations.
A majority of likely voters oppose the ban across all demographics including:
- 58% of Democrats
- 60% of Republicans
- 57% of Independents
While the Global Gag Rule has existed since 1984 and has served as a political football between Republican and Democratic presidential administrations, there have been no comprehensive, bipartisan polling efforts to measure public opinion on the policy. The Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) and PAI engaged public opinion research firms Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint to conduct a joint nationwide survey among voters to determine the favorability of banning U.S. global health assistance to health care organizations in other countries that provide abortions or referrals to women even if they use their own funding. The survey also measured opinions on the U.S.’s role in providing foreign assistance to other countries for medical care.
