Summary:
Planned Parenthood, an organization that describes itself as a “trusted healthcare provider,” has recently been under fire due to accusations that include selling aborted fetus organs. In light of the recent accusations, debate has sprung regarding whether or not federal funding to Planned Parenthood should be discontinued.
Introduction:
Planned Parenthood was established nearly 100 years ago by Margaret Sanger as an organization dedicated to women’s reproductive health. Originally with a focus on birth control, Planned Parenthood has grown over the past century to handle a multitude of facets including provision of comprehensive and reproductive healthcare, advocacy of public policy, provision of education programs, and promotion of research and advancement of technology in terms of reproductive health. Nearly 2.7 million women and men in the United States utilize these services annually proving the organization reaches a wide scope of individuals (PPFA, 2014). Included as a health care service provision is the hot-button issue of abortions.
The Controversy:
Recently, videos have surfaced that attempt to expose Planned Parenthood for illegally selling the body parts of aborted fetuses for research as well as mistreating live fetuses after failed abortions (Ertelt, 2015). These videos sparked an upheaval amongst lawmakers who have proposed a bill that would give states the ability to end their funding to Planned Parenthood; states will be able to deny any organization that performs abortions from receiving Medicaid reimbursement (GovTrack, 2015). The bill has passed in the House of Representatives but could still be vetoed by the White House.
Conclusion:
Per existing law, no money generated to Planned Parenthood through Medicaid or other federal funds is used to finance abortion procedures. Federal funds account for 41% of Planned Parenthood’s income. These funds are directed towards other reproductive health services such as sexually transmitted disease or cancer screening and prevention, which accounts for more than half of the services Planned Parenthood provides (GovTrack, 2015). If Planned Parenthood were to lose this funding, their ability to provide other basic reproductive health services would suffer greatly.
Recommendations/Call to Action:
Given that nearly half of all Planned Parenthood patients are Medicaid recipients receiving non-abortion services, it is recommended that federal funding not be discontinued to the organization (PPFA, 2015). Discontinuing federal funding to organizations such as Planned Parenthood could put nearly 36% of women receiving federally funded healthcare at risk of no longer receiving care. A public call to action should start with education: education on what Planned Parenthood offers and who it offers to is necessary to understand how imperative this organization can be to both women and men and their healthcare needs. While much of the media’s focus in regards to Planned Parenthood revolves around abortion services, it is important for the public to be informed on the plethora of other services organizations such as Planned Parenthood provide.
References and Sources for Further Information:
https://medium.com/govtrack-insider/follow-up-on-funding-for-planned-parenthood-e062567bb085
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/get-involved/generation/