Title X is a federal grant program that supports high-quality, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive family planning and preventive health services for low income, under-insured and uninsured individuals. According to a recent CNN article (2017), the Trump-Pence Administration have recently signed a new bill that many believe could restrict women's access to health care services. Through this bill, states will have the power to withhold federal funds from organizations that provide abortion services as well as Medicaid reimbursements for treating low-income patients. One of these organizations include Planned Parenthood, which is the largest U.S. non-profit organization that provides reproductive health care services and sexual education to women, men, and youth worldwide. Studies conducted by the Guttmacher Institute (2016), a leading research and policy organization, …show more content…
In addition, Planned Parenthood health centers serve 41% of all Title X patients (Planned Parenthood, n.d.). Therefore, preventing individuals from seeking health care services through Planned Parenthood can detrimentally result in the absence of care on a greater scale. To prevent withheld funding, in December 2016, the Obama Administration issued a final rule prohibiting states from withholding federal family-planning funds from organizations or health clinics regardless of their provision of abortion services. For instance, the Obama Administration warned all states that they would be “out of compliance with federal law” if they choose to suppress Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood facilities. Despite this rule, Republicans, led by Vice President Mike Pence, remained adamant in their movement towards restricting Title X grant funding, which still threatens the existence of Planned
Title X was enacted in the 1970’s to subsidize families and individuals who do not have the financial means to raise a child. The Health and Human Services Department states, “Title X family planning clinics have played a critical role in ensuring access to a broad range of family planning and related preventive health services—” (U.S health, n.d.) Although Title X intends to help the needy through taxpayer money, Title X harms the needy by making them depend on government (who is insufficient to fill their needs causing emotional hurt and instability), and Title X harms taxpayers by using their money for what should be considered luxury items.
The first argument for supporting Planned Parenthood is that it provides women with other health services and not just birth control or abortion. Without these services, women’s health will decline because many people can afford treatment. “Every year, Planned Parenthood’s doctors and nurses provide more than 3 million women with preventive health care, including nearly one million lifesaving screenings for cervical cancer, 830,000 breast exams, contraception to nearly 2.5 million patients and nearly four million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Literally, they are a trusted health care provider to millions of women (Whitman).” The statistic proves that Planned Parenthood does more than prevent unwanted pregnancy but also take on tasks care for women’s health.
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
A key argument that has been propagated by the opponents of Planned Parenthood’s continued funding and government support is that the money spent on it could be used on other community health facilities. The caseload and the large number of patients make it difficult for community health centers to provide the services efficiently. The situation in Texas presents a good case study for analysis of the effects. The state cut Planned Parenthood out of its family planning networks in 2013. They started excluding Planned Parenthood from its network of clinics where women from low-income communities got STI screening, contraception, and other reproductive health services (Muchmore 2015). The state has a significant focus on abortion restrictions and the decision to defund the Planned Parenthood federation. The other clinics available in the areas argued that they could take care of the workload if Planned Parenthood stopped and they would only have to increase their capacity.
The article “Editorial Defunding Planned Parenthood hurts the healthcare system,” states that Republicans, who dominate control in Congress, prioritize to defund Planned Parenthood. This proposal has been proposed previously, but it has not been able to surpass Obama’s veto. Since this is no longer the case, Republicans are now taking action to remove all federal funding such as Medicaid reimbursements. The proposed removal of funds is due to the fact that Planned Parenthood is associated with abortions, which are not highly supported but also ostracized by Republicans. However, Planned Parenthood provides many other reproductive services: “breast examinations, cervical cancer screenings, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted
Many controversial debates concerning Planned Parenthood and an exceeding amount of government funding to the organization are occurring in today’s news. A recent case in particular that caught the eye of many who weren't yet aware of the deliberation was when President Trump decided to sign an executive order on January 23, 2017 concerning the defunding of Planned Parenthood (Richardson). Not only did he sign this policy surrounded by seven privileged white men, but he signed it two days after the largest peaceful protest in U.S. history: The Women’s March. This matter does not only concern women, but it concerns men and children as well. As an organization, Planned Parenthood provides affordable
Given the misinformation depicted in the media it is difficult to discern what Planned Parenthood does and exactly how it is that they allocate their funds. Though opponents of Planned Parenthood would have us believe abortions and contraception is what they do, health screenings and prevention is a more accurate description. More so given the array of services they offered and the fact that those they serve are mainly from the uninsured and underrepresented minority population. Though steeped in controversy, Planned Parenthood services are of great benefit to society, more so given their efforts in preventive care. Because
Abortions only make up three percent of the procedures done at Planned Parenthood clinics (“2014 2015 Annual Report”). There are a variety of other life saving and essential health care procedures done at the clinics, such as STD and STI testing, pregnancy tests, contraception, exams, and other health issues relating to both men and women. Many people believe that the federal government should defund planned parenthood; however, this would make it almost impossible for many low-income individuals to receive the care that they need. The federal government should not defund Planned Parenthood (PP) because abortion is not a valid reason for opposing funding because it is allowed by law, low-income individuals and families need the affordable
When the name, “Planned Parenthood”, comes into conversation, the first thing to come to one’s mind it simply: abortion. The current controversy is that Planned Parenthood should not be funded by the government because its use of money to the perspective of the public eye. Because the company is so highly associated with abortions, taxpayers bring up the fact that the government should not be funding companies like Planned Parenthood due to their affiliation with the medical fields including abortion. However, Planned Parenthood should continue to receive funding because despite getting government aid, the establishment is so much more.
In Texas (Texas being the first state in America to cancel Medicaid funding), Governor Abbot recently informed Planned Parenthood that the state is cutting off the organization from the state’s Medicaid program stated by Andy Sullivan in the article “Texas Tries To Stitch a Safety Net without Planned Parenthood”, as recently released undercover videos show evidence of violations. Another huge thing they have been under fire for is whether or not they are making a profit off of abortions, if they are making a profit off of abortions the government strongly
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,
In a recent article, “Nailed it: Paul Ryan’s perfect answer to why Planned Parenthood should be defunded”, Claire Chretien explains House Speaker Representative Paul Ryan’s view on the defunding of Planned Parenthood. He starts off by stating that he wants to ensure women get the care they need. He says, “we believe that this can better be done by putting that money in federal community health centers” (Chretien). Putting the money into local community centers, congress can ensure that women get all of the health services they need. “Planned Parenthood receives approximately $500 million in public funding, with federal funding consisting of Medicaid reimbursements and grants from the Title X Family Planning Program” (“Planned Parenthood Controversy”). By redirecting the funds into local health centers, people are supporting their community, the cost of care becomes more affordable with the extra funds, and women have access to more than just abortion health
Planned Parenthood also receives funding from Title X (Title X: America’s Family Planning Program, n.d.). Title X, is the only federal program grant that is dedicated to providing individuals with
Five years ago, we learned in Texas what can happen when efforts to defund Planned Parenthood are carried out. The network of health-care providers falls apart and women lose access to essential preventive services. Planned Parenthood is not something that, at first, was affecting Texas government. When Texas decided to focus on the fact that they preform abortions, basically, just ignoring the fact the government started by providing reproductive health care and still do. That’s when Planned Parenthood was forced to fight back, which started to affect Texas government because of their involvement. Years ago, Texas voluntarily gave up $30 million a year in federal funding for women’s health programs, just so it could exclude Planned Parenthood from the roster of approved
Millions of women across America will struggle to receive the medical attention they need if the federal government stops funding to Planned Parenthood. Every year 363 million dollars goes into the funding “pot” collectively at Planned Parenthood’s nationwide (Clark 5). This money is used predominantly by women; for six in ten women, Planned Parenthood acts as their main source of health care (Clark 4). Many individuals with low incomes depend on these clinics to maintain or help better their health. Recently, the federal government is trying to pass the Pence Amendment, which would eliminate funding to these institutions. The federal government needs to realize how important Planned Parenthood