A Message to My Fellow Americans Who Advocate for Defunding Planned Parenthood

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A few years back, I happened to pass by the Planned Parenthood clinic in my city while on my way to soak up some sun at a friend’s house. On either side of the street, activists were waving signs and chanting slogans. On one side, a group of self-proclaimed “Christians” condemned those entering for abortions (which, by the way, this clinic has never provided—but who needs facts, right?). On the other side, supporters of Planned Parenthood were defending its vital role in healthcare.

Honestly, I got pretty fired up. It wasn’t just the blatant misinformation being shouted; it was the hasty judgment against an organization that offers so much to those seeking healthcare.

So, to my friends and others who are against Planned Parenthood due to their stance on abortions and the sensationalized “selling of fetal body parts”:

Get Informed.

If Planned Parenthood loses funding in this misguided crusade, where will countless women and men turn for crucial health services? Estimates suggest that around 650,000 women could find themselves without access to other clinics or providers who cater to low-income populations.

Get Informed.

Let’s set the record straight—abortions make up only 3% of the services provided by Planned Parenthood. The real treasure lies in the essential health services they offer, including contraceptives, STI testing and treatment, breast exams, Pap smears, and cancer screenings. In fact, a recent article in New York magazine highlighted that in 2014 alone, Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide performed vasectomies for 3,445 men.

Get Informed.

Now, you might say, “But what about those shocking videos about selling baby parts? That’s just wrong!” According to NPR, investigations by various states found no evidence that Planned Parenthood was profiting from fetal tissue.

Get Informed.

Here’s the real danger of your uninformed opinions: In low-income neighborhoods, where women rely on Planned Parenthood for Medicaid-funded contraceptive services, the rate of unwanted pregnancies would spike—leading to a much greater long-term burden on Medicaid costs. You would effectively strip away necessary health services from your friends, family, and those you claim to care about as a Christian. ThinkProgress estimates that defunding Planned Parenthood could inflate Medicaid spending by $650 million over the next decade. Guess who ends up footing that bill? You.

So, I urge you again: Get Informed. Seek out accurate, fact-based information from reputable sources like The New York Times, CNN, Washington Post, and Newsweek. Don’t let faith-based and ultra-conservative outlets spoon-feed you twisted facts aimed at controlling women’s bodies.

As the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review succinctly puts it: “By taking a hard stance on abortion at the expense of women’s access to health care, conservatives are making a value judgment. They are telling women that our health is not as important as their statements against abortion and their views on what we should do with our bodies.”

Get Informed.

For more insights on reproductive health and options, check out this excellent resource provided by the CDC, and if you’re interested in home insemination, you might find this blog post helpful. Also, don’t forget to explore this authority on home insemination kits for your journey.

In summary, while it’s easy to fall prey to sensationalized narratives, it’s crucial to dig deeper and understand the full scope of what organizations like Planned Parenthood provide. Your informed voice can make a difference.