US Action Steps to Exit the World Health Organization

A Voice for Choice Advocacy works closely with Stand for Health Freedom, and is their representative organization in California.  Below is an update and Action Alert that Stand for Health Freedom sent out this week with respect to the World Health Organization that AVFCA wanted to share with you.

A lot is happening on the global health stage right now. We’ve all heard about the Pandemic Treaty, but there’s a document already in place that’s important for us to watch as well: the International Health Regulations (IHR).

 The IHR spells out the rights and obligations of nations around the world, in public health, as well as the scope of WHO involvement. It was expanded greatly in 2005 -- most notably to create the ability for the WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern anywhere on the globe. The current White House administration is leading the charge for yet another huge expansion of authority, power, and resources for the WHO by updating this document. The IHR is considered legally binding on all WHO members and its adoption or updates have never been presented to Congress for oversight. The White House is prepared to follow business as usual at this year’s World Health Assembly, unless Congress acts to check the overreach of the president.

In 2022, the U.S. proposed 11 amendments to the existing IHR  There was a massive public outcry, and it was determined at last year’s World Health Assembly that all but one of them would not be voted on at the time to gain more input from other countries and stakeholders

The U.S.-proposed amendment that was adopted last year shortens the amount of time it takes to amend the documents.

Importantly, these amendments were not withdrawn. Over the last year, a WHO Working Group held six meetings to consider input from around the globe on how to amend the existing IHR. There are now over 300 proposed amendments that will be presented at the World Health Assembly in May 2023. No vote is currently scheduled and the WHO is reporting that there will be no vote until 2024. Click here to read the most recent SHF updates on those amendments, and the pandemic treaty.

Do you know what the amendments are? What about your elected U.S. officials?

Here’s what you can do:

1. Stay up to date by making sure you (and your friends) are on the AVFCA and SHF email list.
2. The SHF petition to lawmakers demanding oversight for the Pandemic Treaty is at 69,155 signatures at this writing. Can you help us tip past 70,000 today? Then send to your friends so we can reach that magic number of 100,000 signatures to send to our lawmakers here in the states showing our support.
3. Tell your U.S. representative it’s time to #ExitTheWHO by urging them to sign on to HR 79, the WHO Withdrawal Act. Taking action will also send a message to key lawmakers who have the ability to move this bill forward.

Stay tuned to AVFCA and SHF in the coming weeks for more updates and action items on the WHO as we get ready for World Health Assembly 76, May 21-30, 2023.

Together we can make change happen!

C

Christina Hildebrand
President/Founder
A Voice for Choice Advocacy, Inc.
[email protected]
www.AVoiceForChoiceAdvocacy.org