Memorandum for the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Administrator of the United States for International Development
January 24, 2025
Action Summary
- Policy Revocation and Reinstatement: Revokes the Presidential Memorandum of January 28, 2021 (Protecting Women’s Health at Home and Abroad) and reinstates the January 23, 2017 Memorandum (The Mexico City Policy).
- Global Health Assistance Extension: Directs the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to implement a plan to extend the reinstated memorandum’s requirements to global health assistance provided by all departments or agencies.
- Funding Restrictions: Instructs the Secretary of State to ensure U.S. taxpayer funds do not support organizations or programs involved in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.
- Legal Disclaimer: Specifies that the memorandum does not create any legally enforceable rights or benefits for any party.
- Publication Requirement: Authorizes the Secretary of State to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
Risks & Considerations
- The reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy could impact global health initiatives, particularly those related to women’s health and reproductive rights. This may affect international collaborations and research opportunities for Vanderbilt University in these areas.
- Organizations that receive U.S. global health assistance may face funding restrictions if they are involved in programs related to abortion or involuntary sterilization. This could lead to a reduction in partnerships or collaborative projects with such organizations.
- The policy may influence the focus and direction of research conducted by Vanderbilt’s faculty and students, particularly in the fields of public health, international development, and women’s health.
- There is a potential reputational risk for Vanderbilt if it is perceived as aligning with or opposing the policy, which could affect its relationships with donors, partners, and the broader community.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health may need to reassess its international partnerships and funding sources to ensure compliance with the policy and to mitigate any potential disruptions in ongoing projects.
- School of Medicine and School of Nursing could see changes in research funding opportunities related to women’s health and reproductive rights, necessitating adjustments in research focus and grant applications.
- The Office of Federal Relations might need to engage in advocacy or policy analysis to understand the implications of the policy on Vanderbilt’s interests and to communicate these to relevant stakeholders.
Financial Impact
- The policy could lead to a reallocation of federal funds away from organizations involved in reproductive health services, potentially affecting Vanderbilt’s access to certain types of research funding.
- Vanderbilt may need to explore alternative funding sources or partnerships to support research and programs that could be impacted by the policy’s restrictions.
- There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research that aligns with the policy’s objectives, particularly in areas related to global health and development.
Relevance Score: 3 (The policy presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential shifts in research focus and funding opportunities.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Global Health Institute should review its international partnerships and funding sources to ensure compliance with the reinstated Mexico City Policy. This will be crucial in maintaining eligibility for U.S. government funding and avoiding potential conflicts with the policy’s restrictions on funding organizations involved in coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization.
- The Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to understand the implications of the policy on global health initiatives. By staying informed, Vanderbilt can better navigate changes in funding landscapes and advocate for policies that align with its mission and values.
- Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine should consider conducting research on the impacts of the Mexico City Policy on global health outcomes. This research could provide valuable insights into the policy’s effects on women’s health and inform future advocacy efforts.
Opportunities
- The reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society to engage in ethical analysis and public discourse. By examining the ethical implications of the policy, the center can contribute to national and international conversations on reproductive rights and health policy.
- Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in global health to develop alternative funding strategies and partnerships that align with the university’s values and mission. This could include seeking collaborations with non-governmental organizations and private foundations that support comprehensive women’s health initiatives.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to ensure compliance and explore new opportunities in global health initiatives.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A: No explicit deadlines or enforcement delays are provided in the memorandum, as it directs actions to be taken immediately to the extent allowable by law.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of State: The memorandum directs the Secretary of State to coordinate implementation of the Mexico City Policy, making it a key agency in enforcing its provisions, including oversight over global health assistance provided by all agencies.
- Department of Defense: The Secretary of Defense is included in the memorandum, indicating that defense-related programs or assistance might be scrutinized under the reinstated policy.
- Department of Health and Human Services: Tasked with partnering with the State Department, HHS is directly responsible for ensuring that the policy’s health-related restrictions are implemented, particularly in the realm of global health assistance.
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID): As the administrator of USAID is explicitly mentioned, this agency must align international development assistance with the reinstated Mexico City Policy.
- Other Federal Departments and Agencies (Global Health Assistance Programs): The memorandum directs that the policy’s requirements be extended to global health assistance furnished by all departments or agencies, thereby potentially impacting any federal organization involved in global health initiatives.
Relevance Score: 5 (The directive applies broadly across the federal government, impacting numerous agencies involved in global health assistance.)
Responsible Officials
- Secretary of State – Charged with implementing a plan to extend the reinstated policy requirements to global health assistance, ensuring that U.S. taxpayer dollars do not support organizations involved in coercive abortion practices, and publishing the memorandum in the Federal Register.
- Secretary of Health and Human Services – Tasked to coordinate with the Secretary of State in implementing the extension of policy requirements.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect Cabinet-level officials whose actions have broad national and international implications.)