Planned Parenthood : The Case Of 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’s mission is for every individual to have access and manage their own reproductive system regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, income, marital status, sexual orientation, and/or residence. They value and respect the diversity within their organization and care for the well-being of their patients. They want people to have self-determination for their own reproductiveness and have confidentiality for each patient that walks through their door. Also, they believe that keeping within those areas of self-determination it will better the quality of life and help build strong relationships. “To provide comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care services in settings which preserve and protect the essential privacy and rights of each individual. To advocate public policies which guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services. To provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal

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,

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

“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.

"Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare, providing birth control, pap smears, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and pregnancy tests to 5 million people each year. It has an annual budget of $800 million, 860 clinics, at least one representative in each state and enough members and staff that its reach into the grassroots is unmatched by any other entity fighting for reproductive freedom and women's equality" (Conniff, 2012).

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

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

There are over 650 Planned Parenthood health centers across the United States, yet not everyone will receive the help they need. Planned Parenthood has been helping women take care of their bodies and take control of their lives since 1916. For so many people, topics like birth control and abortion are taboo and this should not be an acceptable way to live. This world is so new and needs to be a place where women can make decisions about their bodies without concern or judgement from others. Despite all Planned Parenthood does to help not only women, but everyone who walks through their doors, many people wish to shut it down. Defunding Planned Parenthood would do nothing but harm the United States.

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.

Planned Parenthood a program that has been servicing communities for over 100 years by providing sexual health care and preventative services for women and men is going to be possibly defunded by the government according to “the Grand Old Party”, or Republican Party. In an order to avoid government a shutdown in efforts to save federal funding, the government will defund Planned Parenthood for one year to create financial savings. According to the Washington Post, “Planned Parenthood receives about $500 million annually from the government (Paquette, 2015, p.1)”. The bill that is subject to pass by the government, “prohibits for a one-year period, the availability of federal funds for any purpose to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. or any of its affiliates or clinics, unless they certify that the affiliates and clinics will not perform, and will not provide any funds to any other entity that performs, an abortion during such period. The restriction will not apply in cases of rape or incest or where a physical condition endangers a woman’s life unless an abortion is performed (H.R.3134 - 114th Congress, 2015-2016).”

Planned Parenthood, a non-profit healthcare group has been under fire with the public hoping to defund the clinics. Planned Parenthood is a health care provider that was funded 100 years ago. In 1916 a Birth control organization was created by Margaret Sanger . When it was first created, it didn’t consider the health or rights of women as a motive. Instead it was founded in order to stop child labor and infant mortality (Primrose , 2012). According to their webpage, Planned Parenthood now works to provide women with information and care that they needed in order to be healthy and strong. The healthcare program offers services for reproductive health, sex education, and general information to everyone not only women. Aside from offering services and information about sex education, they also offer screenings for cancer. However, this Health Care has continuously been criticized for the abortion services that it provides. In 1973, the case Roe vs. Wade made abortions a constitutional right, saying that women had the right to make their own decisions. This decision is still supported by the majority of the public however it is now harder to receive one and there have been efforts to ban abortions all together. This led attacks on many of the health providers that offer abortion services and Planned Parenthood has been on the brink of being defunded due to recent videos surfacing of the abortion

Planned Parenthood Federation of America or the PPFA provides healthcare for millions of men and women across the globe. They provide many reproductive services and they have offices all around the globe. They have sex education information to help inform people of the risks some actions, like sex, can lead to and how to be safe. Many people think planned parenthood should be defended, but Planned Parenthood should continue to be funded because they provide safe abortion services, STD testing which includes treatment as well, along with women’s health care services.