USAID raises spending on contraceptives, cuts basic health care?

In the wake of a global family planning summit, Catholic activists fear that the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) plans to spend more on contraceptives in the developing world will decrease spending on basic health care for mothers and children.

USAID has planned since February to reduce their spending by more than $100 million on maternal and child health, nutrition, vulnerable children and treatment for malaria, influenza, tuberculosis and other public health threats. They will also reduce spending on HIV/AIDS by $213 million.

Yet USAID has also planned to spend $530 million in 2013 to provide contraceptives to women in developing countries, $6 million more than in 2012.