M2 Critical Analysis : Funding For Planned Parenthood

This current debate whether Planned Parenthood should be funded by the Federal Government is a hot issue in the current election. It has become, not only a nationwide issue, but also worldwide where people from all around the world are able to put in their input on the argument. There are many people who

Planned Parenthood is a controversial topic sweeping the nation of America with political and moral issues. Every day one could come across a new article on it, stubble upon a news article in their local paper or even on their local news station. Planned Parenthood directly provides reproductive health services, is involved in teach young students about sexual education, contributes to research in reproductive technology, and interacts with legal and political efforts aimed at protecting and developing reproductive rights.

Planned Parenthood is an organization that provides healthcare and education to both men and women, having over 650 health centers that provide healthcare to countless communities around the world. Shockingly, 78% of those who use Planned Parenthoods services live at or below 150% of the federal poverty line, showing how important this organization is to low-income families (Topulos, Greene, Drazen). Their mission statement is “A Reason for Being”, which is shown through their efforts to provide health care, advocate public policies, create educational programs, and endorse research. There are those who do not believe Planned Parenthood should be funded by the government, though, due to the fact that they provide abortions to women in need. Studies show that the effects of not having Planned Parenthood available are disastrous, causing low-income families to lack a healthcare provider and the number of those who are infected with STD’s and STI’s to rise. The biggest concern communities have about the government defunding Planned Parenthood is the effects that it would have on low-income families who would no longer have access to something that many people take for granted: health care. Although many believe that Planned Parenthood mostly provides abortions, in reality, only 3% of the people that seek help from them receive an abortion, while 97% receive affordable and, in many cases,

“Nothing matters.” That quote attributed to Ambrose Bierce may be true in some cases. It may be true to those who do not value the funding of Planned Parenthood. But something does matter. And that is the funding of the healthcare resource Planned Parenthood. Many do not understand the vital role Planned Parenthood plays in the lives of up and coming parents. Planned Parenthood has been operating and serving those in need of care in the United States and overseas for more than 40 years (“Planned Parenthood Global”). Planned Parenthood has vowed in their mission statement:

Planned parenthood has been a topic of controversy the last couple of years, as people throughout the nation ask whether or not the healthcare organization should be defunded. When video footage was released in 2015 of “Planned Parenthood medical officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue to researchers,” it seemed likely that federal funds would be revoked as backlash from the public was noted (Welch). Although the nonprofit organization does offer the termination of unplanned pregnancies, the organization offers many more services to women and men, such as free birth control and yearly health checkups “backed by medical experts and more than 100 years of research in reproductive health” (Planned Parenthood). As many people struggle financially to provide for their families, Planned Parenthood’s services are a relief to those who otherwise would not be able to afford healthcare, which is why the organization should not be defunded.

Leaked videos from Planned Parenthood have caused frenzy among Americans and there have been debates on whether or not to continue funding this organization. These videos reveal Planned Parenthood officials discussing selling fetal tissue for profit. While they are proved to be edited videos, many people are still wary about the whole situation. Joining along with this frenzy is Ruth Marcus, whose article, Defunding Planned Parenthood would actually increase abortions, argues why Planned Parenthood should still be funded. Marcus provides substantial evidence including pathos and logos to support her claim; however, it is her ethos that is questionable. With numerous fallacies plaguing her argument, her ethos is damaged, thus affecting the argument’s

Recently the Senate voted 53-46 for a bill to prohibit federal funding of Planned Parenthood, a nonprofit organization with the goal of providing reproductive care to everyone “regardless of the individual's income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence” (plannedparenthood.org). Requiring a 3/5 majority to pass, the bill was rejected, falling short of the required majority by six votes.

Over a hundred years later, Planned Parenthood still operates under the goal of providing comprehensive reproductive health care services to women. This provision of a full range of reproductive services has been deemed in a study by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and National Partnership for Women and Families to be “essential not only to their health and well-being but also to their ability to pursue an education, hold jobs, support their families, achieve economic security, and function as a free and equal member of society” (Lawrence). The study goes on to say that “without access to the full range of reproductive health services, all that is in jeopardy.” (Lawrence). Planned Parenthood will no longer be able to fulfill its mission of providing a full range of reproductive services if the current federal government achieves their goal of overturning Roe v. Wade. Lawrence, the author of the study, also describes a need for “health care decisions based on patient’s health and needs rather than insurance coverage or payment capabilities.” An interesting point is presented here in that if Planned Parenthood concedes its abortion services, there is no guarantee that whatever organization fills in that gap will do so honestly. There is no other organization so committed to the concept of family planning and reproductive services that they do not run the risk of providing inadequate

Planned Parenthood is an organization that is critical for both men and women’s health care. Right now there are people trying to defund Planned Parenthood, and that would leave countless men and women without an excellent source of health care. Planned Parenthood provides a level of care that surpasses many other health care centers, and would be a devastating loss if defunded. Another thing that Planned Parenthood does is advocate for women rights, by doing so they provide abortions, but that should not be what defines the services of Planned Parenthood. They provide so much more than that, Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of tests and treatments, as well having someone there for anyone to talk to. Planned Parenthood should not be

As stated underneath the mission of the Planned Parenthood website, “Planned Parenthood is proud of its vital role in providing young people with honest sexuality and relationship information in classrooms and online to help reduce our nation’s alarmingly high rates of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Planned Parenthood

Millions of taxpayer dollars are going to fund Planned Parenthood. Along with the Obamacare introduction, Planned Parenthood has become a secondary cost to make sure women have health care throughout the United States. Along with the wasted money being spent, Planned Parenthood has other issues. The high cost of administration and the sale of fetus tissue and organs have become the latest in an agency out of control. Because of the wasteful administration of funds and ethical questions about disposing of fetuses, Planned Parenthood should no longer be funded by the Federal government.

Millions of taxpayer dollars are going to fund Planned Parenthood. With the introduction of Obamacare, Planned Parenthood has become a secondary cost to ensure women have health care throughout the United States. Along with the wasted money being spent on Planned Parenthood, other issues have been revealed about Planned Parenthood. The high cost of administration and the sale of fetus tissue and organs have become the latest in an agency out of control. Because of the wasteful administration of funds and ethical questions about disposing of fetuses, Planned Parenthood should no longer be funded by the Federal government.

Planned Parenthood helps people who do not have access to family planning care anywhere else.

Many conservative politicians and their supporters think otherwise, but that’s due to a lack of research and bias toward pro-life beliefs. The remaining 97 percent is spent on services such as STI/STD testing and treatment, cancer screening and prevention, pregnancy tests, and adoption referrals. Almost all services offered at Planned Parenthood are free and the organization doesn't depend on profit from customers. According to the Guttmacher Institute, an authority on reproductive health, “Every $1 of public money invested in family planning saves nearly $4 down the line by keeping patients healthy so they don't require costly medical treatments and procedures” (Nixon & Eigenberg). In other words, there are many ways that Planned Parenthood prevents unnecessary government funding for procedures that are more costly and could be easily

Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit organization that does scientific research into and offers advice on contraception, family planning, and reproductive problems. The organization is also known for offering legal abortion options. (Planned Parenthood at a Glance, 2014.) Recently, a video was released of Planned Parenthood showing the employees talking about selling the fetal tissue from the abortions. The organization is funded by taxpayers dollars, which caused many people to be not happy about the video. The situation caused Congress to question if Planned Parenthood should continue to be funded by the government. (Earll, C. 2015). Defunding this organization would cause many problems for men and women. There are people in our society who cannot afford the correct healthcare they need. The government funding of Planned Parenthood helps low-income families.