On Friday, the House of Representatives voted to pass a bill that would deprive Planned Parenthood of its federal funding
NPR states that “Last year, Planned Parenthood received around $528 million in government funds that came to it through two federal programs that are aimed at lower-income Americans: Medicaid and Title X.”
The heat that Planned Parenthood has been taking in recent weeks is a result of videos claiming that the organization sells fetal tissue for profit. The videos were released by an activist group and have been deemed false by Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood may be a provider of abortions, but that is only a small fraction of the countless services that they provide.
The organization is a huge provider of STD/STI testing as well as contraceptives, which help to eliminate the need for abortions in the first place. In addition to these services, Planned Parenthood has provided countless cancer screenings.
Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) said, “This bill is based upon lies and exaggerations. If you want to have a truthful debate, then let’s talk about the 400,000 Pap smears, the 500,000 breast exams, the 4.5 million STD and HIV tests that Planned Parenthood does each year.”
Planned Parenthood is an organization necessary to the livelihood of millions of Americans. They provide services not just to women, but also to men and children. They are there for the families who lack quality health insurance, many of which depend on Planned Parenthood for their healthcare needs.
I stand with Planned Parenthood because it is one of the most affordable options for women’s healthcare. I stand with Planned Parenthood because of the early breast cancer screenings they provide that save countless lives. I stand with Planned Parenthood because of the 2.7 million people who rely on their services each year.
Planned Parenthood is a necessity. Though some may not agree with its practices, we need Planned Parenthood and the services it provides.
Despite what attack ads may lead you to believe, abortions only make up three percent of the services provided by Planned Parenthood. And, since the 1970s they have been barred from spending federal dollars on abortions anyways.
The majority of their services are testing and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections and contraception, two services that are imperative for the well being of both men and women.
President Obama has said he will veto any bills defunding Planned Parenthood, and the bill is not expected to pass in the Senate, but the organization is so hotly contested that conservatives have threatened a government shutdown over it.
Planned Parenthood provides affordable healthcare and much needed services. Why not stand with PP?
(Also check out Funny or Die's video revealing the scary truths about what Planned Parenthood is really like.)
