Planned Parenthood Applauds President Biden’s Selection of Loyce Pace as Director of the HHS Office of Global Affairs

WASHINGTON — Today, President Biden announced his appointment of Loyce Pace as director of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Global Affairs. This key office serves as the diplomatic voice of HHS, leading U.S. engagement and coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), and advancing policies that protect and promote health in the U.S. and around the globe. 

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“We know the Biden-Harris administration is committed to protecting and expanding access to health care — including sexual and reproductive health care — in the U.S. and around the world. After four years of the Trump administration, there is much to be done to rebuild our international partnerships and move forward on health care rights and access. The director of the Health and Human Services Office of Global Affairs will play a central role in this vital work, which is why we applaud the selection of Loyce Pace for this critical position. Pace is a true health care champion, fighting to shift the power dynamics and insidious structural barriers that stop needed progress in global health; and she will be a critical part of the work ahead. We look forward to partnering with her and the entire Biden-Harris team.”

At the Office of Global Affairs, Pace will lead work with experts around the world, exchanging best practices and sharing technical expertise to advance global health priorities and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team’s collaboration with international counterparts will help strengthen health systems, promote health and wellness in U.S. diplomacy, advance lifesaving research, and more. 

Pace has spent her career in global health as a bold voice for equity, justice, and resilience. Most recently, she brought a key global perspective to President Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board and served as president and executive director of the Global Health Council. Over the years, she has also been an expert advisor in critical forums hosted by the WHO, the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, and other important policymaking bodies.

Along with a coalition of more than 100 progressive organizations, Planned Parenthood Federation of America and In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda developed “First Priorities for the Blueprint for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice.” It is a detailed list of executive and agency actions on global and domestic issues that Planned Parenthood expects the Biden-Harris administration to continue swiftly addressing. The administration must continue to advance the health and rights of individuals worldwide by taking action to fully re-engage on a global scale, promote sexual and reproductive health and rights across U.S. foreign policy, work with Congress to permanently end the global gag rule and repeal the Helms Amendment, and more. 

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

For more than 45 years, Planned Parenthood Global has supported access to sexual and reproductive health care and advocated for reproductive rights around the world. In partnership with more than 100 organizations across 9 focus countries in Africa and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. Last year, our partners provided over 1.8 million people with sexual and reproductive health information and services. Our unique sustainability model sets us apart, as we empower partners to stand on their own. We help grassroots organizations develop solid reproductive health programs, identify other sources of funding, build their communications and advocacy skills, and develop strategic plans. Planned Parenthood Global is the international arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.