Today, the U.S. State Department released its projected International Affairs Budget for the 2010 fiscal year. It totals $53.9 million. While very little was said regarding its impact on maternal health services around the world, the amount going toward maternal health, child health and family planning services has been substantially increased.
Over the next six years, the U.S. government plans to devote “$12 billion to other global health priorities, including maternal and child health, family planning and neglected tropical diseases.” In this period, spending for maternal and child health programs will jump from $494 million to $524 million — and family planning initiatives will receive $48 million more. This is the most the government has ever earmarked for this area of health care.
We applaud President Obama and Secretary Hilary Clinton for making this issues a financial priority.
See a summarized breakdown of the budget here.
