I stand with Planned Parenthood – and so should you

In recent years, the healthcare giant known as Planned Parenthood has dealt with blow after blow of malicious attacks and misconstrued pseudo-facts that have circulated in the media. From being accused of selling fetal organs and tissue, arson at locations, shootings of the Colorado locations, bombings, and more recently being defunded in 12 different states over the fact that they provide abortion services, or give referrals for abortion services at other clinics.

Eight of these 12 states immediately defunded Planned Parenthood following the propaganda “fetal tissue” videos that have since been discredited both because they were produced by a group that has been indicted on felony charges of tampering with government records, and because every single video put out into the media was significantly altered and edited to say whatever the group wanted it to say. In all, 12 states launched lengthy and thorough investigations into the legitimacy of the footage, and found nothing. Did that mean Planned Parenthood received its funding back? No, of course not, that would be too rational.

The fact that no federal funding is allowed to be used on any abortion procedures continues to not only evade the minds of conservative lawmakers, but also not matter entirely. Arguments surrounding the defunding of Planned Parenthood contain the post-hoc logic of since federal funding goes towards things like cost of buildings, the lights and the employees, federal funding is indirectly subsidizing abortions. Because apparently in the eyes of these lawmakers, keeping the lightbulbs turned on is the exact same thing as providing an abortion.

The truth is Planned Parenthood provides healthcare for low-income individuals, and especially for low-income women. The most important efforts they make are those of a preventative nature, so that women don’t find themselves in the office asking for information on pregnancy termination at all. Removing the ability for Planned Parenthood to provide preventative measures will do nothing but increase the need for abortions.

Sexual education, HIV screening, STD testing, and affordable contraceptive methods all exist so young women can take responsibility for their sexual health and receive the necessary and unbiased information to make their own choices. 79 percent of these individuals using services live 150 percent or more below the poverty line, and typically rely on Planned Parenthood as their primary healthcare providers. This includes college kids being treated for their first STD, pregnant women who need prenatal supplements, and women who are seeking out information for adoptive services. Defunding Planned Parenthood might as well be telling low-income people that their health matters less than those who can afford other healthcare providers. Without the funding appropriated to them, Planned Parenthood will likely have to begin to charge more for their services, and will not be able to hire as many employees to assist with education and testing.

As a young mother, I learned the importance of Planned Parenthood during my pregnancy. The information I received on all aspects from adoption to necessary prenatal supplements I would need to take was invaluable to me. I went into an environment that I knew was safe, understanding, and a judgement free. The employees wanted nothing more than to help me and answer any questions I had, and give me the resources I needed to make an informed decision that was my own. As a 17-year-old pregnant girl who attended a Catholic high school, I can assure you most places are not so understanding and helpful.

When I read stories or see videos that attempt to demonize the workers and Planned Parenthood as a whole, it takes everything in me to not actually laugh aloud. These are kind, educated, and informed medical personnel who work with individuals of all backgrounds without judgment day in and day out. Can these legislators say the same? They seem to judge those who receive abortions pretty harshly, and judge the doctors that make sure termination procedures are done safely and competently even more. I think those currently attempting to take away the funding from Planned Parenthood should first take a week’s journey with them, working with the same people they would would suffer if the funds are removed. Politicians often seem to forget that there are actual people that their decisions deliver consequences to and hurting millions of people who rely on Planned Parenthood in order to take a (primarily) religious-based stance against abortion, and disregard the 97 percent of services rendered that are not abortion-related activities is both arrogant and immoral.

As a mother, a college student, and as a woman, I stand with Planned Parenthood during their fight to provide safe medical procedures to women, and health services to people everywhere.