Last Monday, President Donald Trump reestablished the Mexico City Policy, which prevents government funding to organizations that promote, advocate for, or mention abortion. One of many executive orders signed by Trump on the first day of his presidency, the policy stands to drastically effect organizations like Planned Parenthood, and the future of women’s reproductive rights in the country.

The Mexico City Policy, also known as the ‘Global Gag Rule,’ was first introduced in 1984. Since then, it has continually been rescinded by democratic administrations and re-instituted by republican ones. The policy also encompasses international organizations, cutting off U.S. funding from any and all that provide abortion procedures or counseling.

Pro-choice activists and advocates for women’s rights are more than displeased, but not surprised. They’ve known since election day what to expect, as Trump’s pro-life stance served as a vital piece of foundation to his campaign, and now his presidency. With Planned Parenthood now expecting to lose as much as 50% of its funding, women might have to go to other organizations to obtain reproductive services.

Judith Solomon, Vice President of Health Policy at the CBPP was quoted: “[Women] would have to have alternate providers, and the question is, are there?”

Planned Parenthood provides education and healthcare to over 4.5 million people each year, many of them impoverished. According to the numbers on the Planned Parenthood website, 79% of patients are at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.  They offer contraceptives to women, and give them a choice on what type of birth control works best for them. Other services include STD/STI tests and cancer screenings, for both women and men.

In fact, abortion only accounts for 3% of the amenities they provide, a service that by law is already barred from federal funding.

Pro-Life activists are, after eight years of the Obama administration, finally gaining momentum. The annual March for Life on January 27^th had quite the turnout. Even Vice President Mike Pence gave a speech, crowd-rousing and sprinkled with bible verses. Pence has spoken at the march before, but as Vice President, he is the highest ranking official to attend in recent history.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List proclaimed, “There’s never been a time, ever, where the muscle of the pro-life movement has been so strong… We are finally in a position to succeed.” With Trump in office, and a republican house, anti-abortion beliefs are once again being represented in the U.S. government.

In addition to the Mexico City Policy Trump already signed, he plans to do even more for the Pro-life faction. He intends to sign House Resolution 7, which removes the ability to use Medicaid coverage for abortions, except in cases of rape or potential harm to the mother. He has also made promises to appoint a Supreme Court Judge that would overturn the 1973 Roe vs. Wade case, which made abortion legal across the 50 states.

Planned Parenthood won’t back down without a fight. They recently launched the ‘I Stand with Planned Parenthood’ campaign, which will consist of 300 events in 100 different cities over the next three months. The organization stated, “We cannot — and will not — deny life-saving services to the world’s poorest women. We will work with governments and donors to bridge the funding and service gaps the [Mexico City Policy] creates.”

More changes to laws, policies, and organizations are sure to come in 2017—that much is certain. However, there is optimism on both sides of the long-held debate over reproductive rights; now is the time to get involved.