Planned Parenthood and 75 other advocacy groups are urging the Trump administration to halt the planned destruction of $9.7 million worth of contraceptives meant for those in low-income countries.
Why it matters: The Trump administration is pushing to destroy the supplies as part of its dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development, even though the United Nations and reproductive organizations have offered to buy or ship the supplies to their intended recipients.
What they're saying: "This administration is choosing to spend taxpayer dollars to destroy effective health and medical supplies that are wanted and needed and that could save and transform lives," the organizations wrote in a Friday letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- The group noted that the earliest expiration date on the supplies is in 2027, and that some of the supplies don't expire until 2031. Axios was unable to immediately confirm the products' expiration date.
- "Expanding access to contraception improves women's health, reduces maternal and child mortality, prevents HIV, and enables women and girls to pursue educational and economic opportunities," the organizations argued.
- The State Department did not respond to Axios' Friday evening request for comment.
Catch up quick: A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed to Axios in July that the administration would be burning various supplies, including contraceptive implants, pills and intrauterine devices.
- The spokesperson said the department would no longer provide birth control products purchased through "terminated Biden-era USAID contracts."
- They added that destroying the commodities will cost $167,000, and the department will not burn condoms or HIV medications.
By the numbers: Destroying the contraceptives could cause up to 362,000 more unintended pregnancies, according to a July report by the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition.
- The report also notes that incinerating the products could cause 161,000 unplanned births and 718 preventable maternal deaths.
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