Comment on DOS-2026-0364-0001

The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) welcomes the specific terms (protecting human life, combating gender ideology, and combating discriminatory equity ideology), as part of the President’s requirements for protecting human flourishing by those receiving U.S. foreign assistance funds, as contained in the three Final Rules. NCBC is a faith-based organization engaged in bioethics publication, education and consultation to thousands of persons seeking its services. It has a membership of over five hundred members, representing individuals, dioceses, parishes, health care corporations, healthcare and educational institutions, among many others. Thus, the impact on membership far exceeds the official number of members. Through our services increasingly we are made aware of challenges families face when provided with “gender affirming” interventions, which not only do not address the underlying causes of gender dysphoria, but incur irremediable harm to those suffering from gender dysphoria. Furthermore, through our colleague agencies we are aware of the physical and psychological harm caused to women when they have felt abandoned to an abortion procedure. Thus, we respectfully support the Department of State’s seeking OMB’s approval for the information collection described in the call for comment, to ensure the United States’ efforts to protect human flourishing of those benefiting from U.S. foreign assistance funds. See three attachments.