Government Affairs and Advocacy

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This is a channel that we use to keep members in the loop about the latest policy documents and developments. Our work in advocacy cuts across all areas of expertise and impacts all of our members.

Our Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy, Cynthia Smith, and our Advocacy Manager, Jenna Thoretz, post regular updates so our members are alerted to changes in the sector as they happen. We encourage everyone who joins Connect to become part of this community and to keep up to date with the information shared here. Posts to this community go live on our website, and you may wish to use the anonymous posting option if you have a question to ask here.
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USAID Implementing Partner Notice for Assistance on Rescission of PLGHA Policy (issued 1/29/21)

  • 1.  USAID Implementing Partner Notice for Assistance on Rescission of PLGHA Policy (issued 1/29/21)

    Posted 02-16-2021 12:25

    USAID Implementing Partner Notice for Assistance

    SUBJECT:  Rescission of the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance Policy

    The purpose of this notice is to inform you that on January 28, 2021, President Joe Biden issued a Presidential Memorandum revoking the January 23, 2017 Presidential Memorandum (The Mexico City Policy), thereby rescinding the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance (PLGHA) policy, and directing all affected departments and agencies to take steps to "immediately waive such conditions in any current grants."  For USAID, the PLGHA policy is set forth in a Standard Provision entitled "Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance."

    As of the date of the Presidential Memorandum, the requirements in the Standard Provision, "Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance," are no longer in effect for prime awards and all existing and future subawards.  Agreement Officers will formalize the removal of the Standard Provision from the award immediately or with the next award amendment, but no later than 60 days from when Agreement Officers are notified of this action.

    We appreciate the responses provided to the Agency's previous October 30, 2020, communication requesting documentation on organizations' efforts to ensure compliance of their foreign NGO subrecipients with the PLGHA policy.  In light of the policy's rescission, no further action to respond to that communication is required at this time.

    As a reminder, separate from the PLGHA policy, USAID is prohibited from providing funds to pay for the performance of abortion as a method of family planning or to motivate or coerce any person to practice abortion, as stipulated by the Helms Amendment enacted in 1973. This and all other statutory restrictions relating to abortion remain in effect as reflected in the standard provisions in ADS Chapter 303 Grants and Cooperative Agreements to Non-Governmental Organizations and in the terms and conditions of the assistance agreements awarded by USAID.

    For other notices posted on the IPN Assistance portal, please click here.


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    Cynthia Smith
    Director, Government Affairs and Advocacy
    Humentum
    cynthia.smith@humentum.org
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