There's no doubt that the GOP has always had strong feelings based on "morals" that Planned Parenthood should be defunded and shut down--and soon enough that may be a reality. Paul Ryan was recently interviewed, and made his intentions clear. Paul Ryan strongly believes that there is too much "controversy surrounding the issue" of Planned Parenthood; he believes taxpayer dollars should be allocated to federal healthcare centers instead. Ryan states that the reason there is so much controversy is due to the fact that Planned Parenthood provides abortions (note: abortions count for approx ~3% of their services), and that tax payer dollars should not be committed to funding such an service; however, there are currently laws in place blocking Planned Parenthood from using federal funding to fund the medical procedures. In fact, the federal funding is used for things such as STD screenings, affordable birth control, breast cancer screenings, family medical care, education services and many other positive things. Planned Parenthood has been providing a safe, inclusive environment for men and women to seek safety and care for 100 years now--and unfortunately 100 years may be all they have to give. Thanks, GOP.

Here's a quick look into a world without Planned Parenthood.

Setting the Scene: The year is 2017. It's bleak. It's eerie. Donald Trump is president. The GOP has obtained the majority. It's nearly impossible to find affordable healthcare services. Planned Parenthood has been defunded, leaving millions of women and children without health care, and hundreds of centers shut down.

Everything Lost: Thanks to the GOP, we've lost a lot. We've digressed as a society in regards to women's reproductive rights/health and choices. Planned Parenthood has been shut down.

A World Without Affordable Access to Birth Control

Education and access to birth control is hard to obtain. No longer do we have access to an organization that provides education about a wide array of birth control options for women, including: abstinence, IUDs, the pill, the NuvaRing, condoms, etc. No longer is there access to adorable birth control. Women are being forced to spend anywhere from $50- $1000 on safe, effective birth control (not including the actual doctor's visit); money that could be spent on housing, food, or literally anything else. Money that needs to be spent in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies; because we all know abortions aren't an option anymore.

A World Without a Safe Space for Mental Resources

Planned Parenthood used to be a safe space to go for women who were struggling with body image. As we all know, body image for young women is important. A negative body image can have serious consequences-- leading to life-threatening eating disorders, self-hate and self-harm. The world was lucky enough at one point to be blessed with a center that welcomed women who were struggling with open arms, and provided them with the resources to seek help. In our bleak reality women are now left to struggle alone, unsure of where or how to seek help.

A World Without Affordable General Health Care

Here we are in 2017; the future is eerie. No longer do women and their children have access to affordable general healthcare--thanks to the GOP. No longer are services like flu vaccines, anemia screenings, thyroid testing, diabetes screenings, and general exams available at a low cost based on a family's income. Life-saving preventative testing is now only available to those who can afford it.

A World Without a Safe Space for Those Questioning Sexuality

Now more than ever the world is a scary place to not be heterosexual--while we have come far in the LGBTQ+ Community, there are still huge strides to make. We live in an era where legislation letting business owners refuse service to those not like them is actually being considered, because "God forbid" we offend anyone's religious beliefs. Planned Parenthood used to be a confidential, safe space for those questioning their sexuality could go to seek comfort and resources--to talk to staff members and seek support. But now, that safe space is gone, leaving people confused, alone, and resource-less, embarrassed to seek support otherwise.

A World Filled With STDs

Without a center to provide affordable access to screenings and treatments to STDs there have been major consequences. There has been a rise in STDs; along with a rise in illness and death due to such diseases, diseases that could have been treatable had the patient been able to afford treatment. Diseases that could have been preventable had the patient had access to education and materials to prevent it.

A World Without Affordable Women's Healthcare

Planned Parenthood used to be a center that provided healthcare services including: breast cancer screenings, PAP Smears, HIV screenings, ovarian cancer screenings, pelvic exams and many more. The services were low cost based on income- making healthcare accessible to those who would not otherwise be able to afford it. These screening and exams were able to assist in saving the lives of many women; unfortunate women do not have those options anymore. Sure, they could go to the hospital, or see a primary doctor--but at what cost?

A World Lacking Women's Reproductive Rights

Lucky for us, Planned Parenthood had also been a huge advocate for women's reproductive rights, whether that be in regards to birth control or emergency contraceptives. Planned Parenthood provided a space for women to go to seek help in times of distress, in times when unplanned/unwanted pregnancies occurred. Planned Parenthood was there to offer judgement-free support and safe, affordable options to women, including the taboo abortion. Inside the doors of the clinic, abortions were never pushed, forced, or federally funded; they were available to women who made the decision that that is what would be best. Planned Parenthood also provided education on many other options like adoption or parenting. Alas, that safe space is no longer available for struggling women. Women are now forced to seek abortions from unlicensed doctors in an unsafe environment.

Moral of the story: A World Without Planned Parenthood is Not a World I Want to Live In.

I truly hope Paul Ryan and the GOP will reconsider. Planned Parenthood does so much more than just abortions; they save lives, they provide care, they open their doors to all in need. Planned Parenthood has been around for 100 years now and here's to hoping they will be around for 100 more. Please consider making a donation, sharing your story, or becoming an advocate for Planned Parenthood here. Now more than ever could the center use your help so we don't end up living in a dystopian [not so far off] future.