What if Planned Parenthood suddenly vanished from our lives? Spoiler alert: it wouldn’t be pretty. Thanks to filmmaker Alex Johnson, known for his work on popular series, we can glimpse this grim reality. His short film, titled “UNLOCKED,” takes us through the lives of three women whose futures drastically change without the support of Planned Parenthood.
In the emotional video, available on his YouTube channel, we follow these women as they face pivotal moments in their lives. One tragically succumbs to cancer, another contracts a sexually transmitted infection, and a third finds her college dreams dashed by an unplanned pregnancy. The common thread? The absence of Planned Parenthood’s vital services. This dramatization illustrates that a world without Planned Parenthood isn’t just bleak; it’s catastrophic.
Midway through the film, the narrative rewinds to a time when Planned Parenthood was a lifeline for these women. We witness a mother receiving crucial cancer screenings while celebrating her birthday, a young woman learning about safe sex, avoiding STIs, and the third woman successfully pursuing her college education. The stark contrast highlights the real-life implications of eliminating such essential services.
This cautionary tale isn’t merely conjecture—it’s already happening. Recently, the House of Representatives voted on a healthcare bill that threatens to cut Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood for a whole year. “If politicians manage to shut down Planned Parenthood, millions will lose access to basic health services like STD testing and cancer screenings,” Johnson stated in an interview. “‘UNLOCKED’ showcases the dire consequences of a world without Planned Parenthood.”
It’s important to clarify that the term “defunding” is misleading. “Planned Parenthood does not receive a direct check from the federal government; this legislation would block millions of women from accessing their trusted health provider,” says health advocate Lisa Grey. Federal law already prohibits federal funding from being used for abortion services. Let’s repeat that for emphasis: no federal dollars go toward abortions. The proposed legislation would instead prevent access to cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing, and other preventive care at Planned Parenthood health centers—care that, as Johnson’s film illustrates, saves lives and helps reduce the number of abortions in the first place.
If these funding cuts proceed, the 2.5 million individuals who rely on Planned Parenthood could find themselves in dire situations, just like the women featured in the video. Consider Texas, where cutting funding led to a collapse in healthcare access, resulting in nearly 30,000 fewer women receiving vital services. A staggering 27% increase in births among women losing access to contraceptives was also reported, and the state’s maternal mortality rate has doubled since 2010 due to such funding cuts.
In Iowa, recent laws have led to the closure of several Planned Parenthood clinics, leaving 14,600 patients without essential care. Clearly, the consequences of defunding Planned Parenthood extend far beyond individual women—they impact families and whole communities. Why would we want to replicate this on a national scale?
As we reach the conclusion of Johnson’s film, one poignant image remains: a stark question posed to viewers—what kind of world do you want to live in?
For more insights on reproductive health, check out this informative piece on in vitro fertilization. And if you’re curious about fertility options, you can learn more about men’s health at this resource as well. If you’re interested in exploring other topics, feel free to check out our blog for more details on these critical issues.
In summary, the short film “UNLOCKED” powerfully underscores the catastrophic consequences of defunding Planned Parenthood, illustrating the essential services it provides to millions. The stark realities faced by women without access to these services serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of maintaining support for reproductive health.