Arguments Against Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood recently celebrated 100 years of service. Social structures, technology, politics, and life, in general, has changed in the past 100 years, but the one thing that has not changed is Planned Parenthood’s devotion to giving all types of people quality health services. Despite all the opposition towards them, they continue to persevere and continue to stand for what they believe in- which, despite what people think, is more than abortions. They provided all types of services, from birth control to cancer screening to STI testing and treatments, to 2.4 million people just last year (“Facts & Figures”). It did not matter if these people were black or white; Hispanic or Asian; male or female; they got the treatment they needed

While Planned Parenthood itself does not get any money directly from the government, it could still be “defunded” in another way. A bill could be passed that would decrease or stop Title X funding and Medicaid reimbursement to sexual and reproductive health centers such as Planned Parenthood. Since these centers perform abortions, many government officials who oppose them are in favor of the proposed bill (Silver and Kapadia 1040). The eventual result would be Planned Parenthood getting shut down (“Facts & Figures”) which would have a negative impact on a large population. More specifically, Planned Parenthood receives reimbursements because of people who rely on programs like Title X and Medicaid (“Facts & Figures”). Title X provides family planning services to more than 4 million Americans (“Facts & Figures”). Medicaid is a federal health program that helps cover the cost of health-related services for people of low-income and limited resources (“Facts & Figures”). Because of the Hyde Amendment, Medicaid funding cannot be used for abortion services (Lawrence and Ness). According to Planned Parenthood, they are the largest provider of reproductive health care (Goldschmidt and Strickland). They provide birth control and do cancer screenings, well-woman visits, and STI tests and treatments (Wahowiak). 5 million women,

While in numerous communities many women rely on Planned Parenthood for health care, those in favor of taking money away from the center are not trying to punish these women, but feel Planned Parenthood already has lots of money (Terzo). For example, the Planned Parenthood CEO makes around $500,000 a year (Terzo). One study showed that despite the closure of clinics, there was little to no indication of an increase of when women had an abortion (i.e. the waiting was so long that they got it later than wanted) (Gerdts et al. 863). Participants went from an average of being 7 to 9 weeks pregnant at the time of their ultrasound appointment to 10 weeks (Gerdts et al. 863). Mattox, a senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, pointed out that the federal funding for Planned Parenthood would be put to better use if it went to “community health centers and other places around the country that can provide a fuller range of services to women without the ethical challenges that Planned Parenthood presents.”(“Planned Parenthood: Fact v.