Argentina puts health first as it gets back on its feet

Abstract

Within 24 hours of his inauguration Kirchner signed the law on reproductive health and responsible procreation—a measure in abeyance since its adoption by the federal Congress in 2002. The legislation remains the target of two legal challenges by pro-life Catholic groups. The law allows free prescription of contraceptives information on family planning and free screening for sexually-related diseases. Critics against all forms of contraception argue that the law runs counter to a 1990s constitutional amendment introduced by the right-wing government of Carlos Menem on the “right to life” of unborn babies. (excerpt)