"I first learned of Planned Parenthood in 1991 while attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At that time I had no health insurance, lived on limited funds and initially went to Planned Parenthood for the affordability. It was my first cervical cancer screening. I received a thorough examination including history, physical, well-woman examination and comprehensive safe sex education. I remember feeling relief and reassurance that I had a health care provider I could count on to provide me with the basic preventive women’s health care that until then I did not have access to. I continued receiving care from Planned Parenthood thoughout my college years and into the beginning of my professional years. I graduated from the same university and became a registered nurse. In my practice I have met many young women who do not have primary care physicians and who are not current with their cervical cancer screenings. The first provider I think of is Planned Parenthood and often take the time to educate these young women on the valuable services this organization provides. I feel that Planned Parenthood is an integral provider of women’s health care in the United States and to cut the funding to this organization would put women’s health in jeopardy." -Julie

Julie's story is one of the many from patients who have visited Planned Parenthood. There is an ongoing threat to defund Planned Parenthood. Many men and women are responding by protests, donating, volunteering, and continuing the conversation through social media, public speaking, and even college speech and debate. There are so many reasons to care about this issue. It is not just a threat for abortion access, but it is a threat to healthcare access, as well. The Susan B. Anthony List states reasons to defund. Some of those reasons are that Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider, its business model is centered on abortion, it's used as population control, and it's not safe for women and girls.

Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that provides health care, as well as reproductive and sexual education services to millions of men, women, and teens. There are around 650 health service locations in the U.S. PP is often the only place where some women receive family planning services. 84% of clients are aged 20 and older. Provided services include pap smears, breast exams, STD testing/treatments, contraception/pregnancy prevention, education/outreach programs, pregnancy testing, counseling, and abortion. 1 in 5 women have visited a Planned Parenthood clinic. Many of them are low income.

The Washington Post states that the percentage of abortion services is mere speculation. If it is, we really cannot state that defunding Planned Parenthood is bad because we don't know how much money goes towards abortion. Much of the money could go to the other health services provided. Plus, we have the Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal money from paying for abortions, unless it is a case of rape, incest, or danger to the mother's life. People who claim that they "don't want to pay for something they don't agree with" or "don't want to pay for some woman who couldn't keep her legs closed," aren't actually paying for anyone's abortion in that case. This is an ignorant mentality to have. You're not paying for anyone's abortions, unless it's for the reasons stated above.

People are poorly misinformed when it comes to how Planned Parenthood receives its funding. NPR explains that federal funding comes from Medicaid, a federal health program for low income citizens, and Title X, a federal family planning program for low income citizens. When PP provides a health service to someone who is low income, Medicaid reimburses PP the amount of money required for that health service, whether it's a STD test, exam, pap smear, etc. Medicaid is both federal and state funded. Not only does PP get funding from these programs, they also get private monetary donations from citizens. The federal government doesn't freely hand over money to PP like some citizens think. It is through these programs, and it is for a reason.

Defunding Planned Parenthood is wrong because it cuts off certain health care and reproductive health services. It prevents people from getting birth control at low cost. (By the way, birth control isn't just used for preventing pregnancy, it can be used for health purposes also.) It will end low cost reproductive care. It will ultimately end a judgement free environment for patients. Having zero judgments towards patients is important for a healthcare provider, because if you have a problem with the patient having premarital sex, then you probably shouldn't be a doctor, because nobody likes to be shamed for their decision when they go in for their next check up. PP also provides education and information for patients and their reproductive health. Also, no one wants to be told that their birth control "doesn't work." News flash, if you use it properly, it does work. This is misinforming to patients. People should change their attitudes towards this issue because it effects a lot of people. Even if you're not low income, it can affect you because maybe you'll need to use a Planned Parenthood service one day.