Planned Parenthood has received negative feedback for years and with the most recent election, there have been many tries to strip all funding from them. While it is very important to understand where you stand in these matters, it is also important to remain educated on every aspect before you make a decision.
With nearly 650 health care centers across the United States, they are one of the leading providers of high-quality health care for women and men.
They're educators.
Working with over 275 college campus' to help build a healthy generation and build them up on knowledge and awareness. They also offer accurate sexual and reproductive health education for people of all ages.
They're health care providers.
They provide high-quality, cutting edge health care to over 2.5 million people. Birth control, abortion services, cancer screenings, and testing and treatment for STD's are all things you can receive along with general health care.
They're advocates.
They work to protect and expand access to health insurance for everyone. No matter what community or income level you come from, you will receive phenomenal service.
They're global health innovators.
Partnering overseas to break down barriers to sexual and reproductive health care. They currently work in partnership with more than 100 grassroots organizations around the world to develop sustainable reproductive health programs.
Statistically speaking, only 3% of what they do is abortion services. 45% is STI/STD testing & treatment, 7% is cancer screening and prevention, 31% is contraception, 13% is other women health services, and 1% is other services.
In just one year, they provide:
1.2 million pregnancy tests
360,000 lifesaving breast exams
2 million family planning and contraception services
72,000 screenings for women whose cancer was detected early or whose abnormalities were identified and addressed
4.2 million tests and treatments for STD's including 650,000 HIV tests
9 million activists, supporters, and donors working for women's health and safety and fundamental reproductive rights
1.5 million young people and adults reached through educational programs and outreach
1 million individuals served by local partners in 12 countries worldwide
72 million visits to the Planned Parenthood website
930,000 emergency contraception kits
324,000 abortions
The statistics are incredible. They make huge strides to make the world a better place. But abortion is not the only thing they do. It is so much more than that. And when they do perform abortions, it is in a safe and legal manner. Just like any other doctors office would.
They empower, inspire, educate, provide, and love all human beings. That is what Planned Parenthood is about. So before you pursue cutting the funding, please understand that there is so much more.
They are providing health care to those that cannot afford it, and that should be something anyone in the world understands. Health care costs can be outrageous.
Whether you are for or against abortion, they are simply a womens' health clinic, striving to make a difference, that performs abortions just like any other doctors office. If you choose to cut PP, you should cut funding to hospitals and other offices that perform abortions.
Be anti-abortion, but don't take away health care to those in need.