Planned Parenthood is most commonly known as the largest provider of abortion services in the United States, but Planned Parenthood offers more services than just abortion procedures. Besides providing abortion services, Planned Parenthood offers testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, affordable contraceptives, and screenings for certain types of cancer at low prices. Because it is a non-profit organization, it relies on government funding, private contributions, and donations from non-government sources in order to provide affordable healthcare. Interestingly, family planning is one of the government’s most cost effective investments. For instance, the Guttmacher Institute found that four dollars are saved for every dollar spent on family planning. Despite this, in light of the recent Republican debates, the government has been under fire for giving funds to Planned Parenthood. Some congressional Republicans are even proposing a government shutdown in order to defund Planned Parenthood. In a country where more than half of the population is composed of women, the government must continue to fund Planned Parenthood and other family planning programs.
Traditionally, the Republican party has been opposed to abortion and, consequently, the services that Planned Parenthood offers. However, abortion procedures only made up 3% of the overall services provided in 2014. Furthermore, it has been illegal since 1976 for the government to fund abortion services. As a result of this ban, all of the abortion procedures are payed for with Planned Parenthood’s own funds. Most government funding goes towards making health screenings, pregnancy tests, and prenatal care available to low-income women. Although the Republican party is opposed to abortion, the most momentous effect that defunding Planned Parenthood would have would be reducing women’s access to affordable healthcare services. William Stanborough ’16 expressed his belief that the government should continue to fund Planned Parenthood, sharing, “Planned parenthood provides sex education, the means for safe sex, and women’s healthcare. There’s no reason the government shouldn’t be funding any of these services, because people might not have access to them any other way.”
The Guttmacher Institute did a study in 2012 where they polled female clinic patients and found that an overwhelming majority reported that the use of birth control allowed them to better take care of themselves and their families financially, stay in school and get or keep a job. When asked why she thought that the government should continue to fund Planned Parenthood, Caroline Wren ’16, co-clerk of the Half the Sky club, stated, “Defunding Planned Parenthood takes away a woman’s right to make her own decisions regarding her own body, and it would also defund a safe service of family planning, disease prevention, and treatment.” Not only does investing in family planning help these women, but it is also beneficial for the economy. It’s estimated that preventing all unwanted pregnancies would potentially save around fifteen billion dollars. Some Republicans have suggested that the government redirect some of the funding towards other organizations that could provide the same services, but there are not enough organizations to absorb the work that Planned Parenthood is currently providing. Andrew Slomski ’17 agrees that the funds currently going towards Planned Parenthood should not be redirected, stating,“Planned Parenthood seems like a worthwhile program, and I feel that there are plenty less important programs that should be defunded before Planned Parenthood should.” By redirecting funds to other organizations, the need for care would continue to exist and there would be fewer providers to take on the needs of the patients.
Although some people are morally and religiously opposed to the abortion programs that Planned Parenthood offers, abortions are not the only health service that Planned Parenthood provides. It is crucial that Americans look past the stigma of abortion and understand the incredibly positive impact that Planned Parenthood has on the people of this country. It is time for Americans to demand that the government continue to fund Planned Parenthood.