Friday, March 24th 2017, I had fallen asleep and didn’t even realize it. With “Big Little Lies” on my chest, I awoke with a start from a notification sound blaring from my phone. I made a mental note to turn it down, picked it up and saw the CNN notification that the house abandoned the bill to repeal and replace the ACA and it wouldn’t even be voted on. My tired eyes sprang open and a wave of relief flooded through me. Not only for myself but for millions of Americans and fellow women this could have impacted.
But on Thursday, March 30th, Mike Pence castes his tie breaking vote to withhold family planning funds from Title X. Since 1970, this program has helped millions of low income people afford much needed healthcare that covers a woman’s annual exam, cervical and breast cancer screenings, birth control, as well as testing and treatment for STD’s. While casting his vote with a smile, this republican man wants to prevent state dollars from going to providers that facilitate abortions. It must be noted that no federal money is spent on abortions due to the Hyde Amendment but like a lot of things these days, Republican’s are adamant that federal money is spent on abortions with no evidence to their claim.
As a previous patient of Planned Parenthood and as an American woman who has choices over her body and her care, what this administration is doing to Planned Parenthood is unacceptable. Planned Parenthood is so much more than a facility who provides abortions. Per the 2013-2014 annual report, Planned Parenthood provided 10.6 million services for 2.7 million clients. 3% of said services was abortions. 42% went to STD testing and treatment, 34% for contraception and not to mention 9% for cancer screening and prevention.
Planned Parenthood is a safety net for millions and millions of Americans. Regardless of what moderate Republicans and Christians believe about sex, marriage and a women’s choice, the fact is, people are sexually active and Planned Parenthood provides a safe place to discuss it, totally free of judgment. Throughout my activism with Planned Parenthood and women’s rights, I have come across a lot of other likeminded women such as Jennifer. When I asked her why she started going to Planned Parenthood, this was what she had to say.
“When I was 17 years old I began going to Planned Parenthood. I had become
sexually active with my high school boyfriend and thought I was pregnant. I had
no idea what I was doing. I walked in with no appointment and tears in my eyes,
and was welcomed LITERALLY with open arms. A nurse named Jamie took me to
an exam room where I took a pregnancy test and found out I was not pregnant.
She asked me, “Are you on birth control?” I replied, “no” feeling embarrassed
that I was even there and worried that my mother would find out. I immediately
started to cry out of pure fear. Looking back, I am sure that they had seen this
before, as Jamie knew exactly what to do. Jamie explained to me that they could
offer me a lot of tools. I had never seen a gynecologist, so they set me up with an appointment for that.
Jamie sent me to another woman to help me fill out some
paperwork, as I would not be using my parents’ insurance. They were incredibly
helpful. Jamie sent me home with birth control in my pocket, not needing to fill a
prescription. I left that day full of knowledge and power over my body. At 17 years
old, I felt that was the first power I ever really had. At 17 years old, I was in control
over my own body, and I have been empowered by that day ever since.”
During our bonding conversation over the experiences we had with Planned Parenthood, I couldn’t help but wonder about the other women out there having similar experiences and what Planned Parenthood meant to them.
Then I met Erica. I asked, “How does it make you feel that Planned Parenthood could be defunded?”
"Many people say that P.P. does not need federal funding, that they can survive on donations and other funds. While the organization itself may survive, how many will suffer? How many locations in poor communities will close, and how many low-income Americans will it negatively affect? Defunding PP would be devastating to people across the country. Without PP, there will be an increase of STDS, unplanned pregnancies, especially in young people and the people who cannot afford a child or the medical care needed to treat infections or other preventable reproductive health concerns. Everyone has their own story and own reasons for going to PP, but none are futile. A large complaint and reason for wanting to defund PP is because they provide abortions, but it’s because of the care they provide that I never became pregnant and never had to make the decision of what to do with an unplanned pregnancy (not that this should be a main argument as abortions are LEGAL in this country and have been for decades). An individual moral disagreement for a medical procedure is no legitimate reason to defund the safe programs that provide it. Most communities with a PP do not have a comparable clinic. If there is one in my town, I do not know of it, and at 15 would not have known how to find one even if there was. Could I have gone to a GYNO and gotten birth control at the age of 15 without parental consent or health insurance? No. Would that have stopped me from having sex? No. Nor would it for thousands, or even millions, of others.”
All in all, the message is clear. Women need to stand together now more than ever. We need to stand up for our basic human right to care over our bodies, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation or religion. Call your senator today and have them hear your voice. Use the link below for step by step instructions on how to stand up for your right as a women.
