Planned Parenthood fuels abortion debates but abortion is not what it only stands for

On Feb. 17th the U.S House of Representative voted in support of eliminating federal financing of Planned Parenthood. This month the bill failed in Senate. Republicans want the government to bar federal dollars for Planned Parenthood and this is a decision based around abortion as Planned Parenthood is the nations largest provider of abortions. Democrats on the other hand are intent of maintaining a "steady stream" of federal funding. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius states that "cutting funding would increase the number of unintended pregnancies and increase the number of abortions." Despite her mention that " Federal funds have never supported abortion, do not support abortion, will not support abortion," she believes that the Democrats have come a long way to saying that they are willing to restrict resources but not slash programs that in turn slash education and innovative and important health services.

Planned Parenthood is an organization that works to advance women's reproductive health and rights. Although it provides gynecological health care, family planning, cancer screenings and HIV AIDS testing it has been highly criticized by abortion rights opponents. The abortions account for a small fraction of the services provided by the organization and no tax payer money goes toward abortions as the money comes from generous donations. 90 percent of the the 90-year-old organization ($363.2 million) comes directly from the federal government-or from Medicaid- which is a federal state program-according to Planned Parenthood spokeswomen Tait Sye. Unfortunately the organization has now become part of a decades-long congressional battle over abortion and making extreme cuts to the organization would affect in many clients who are low-income women with few other options for non emergency health care and sex education. Planned Parenthood loosing federal funding would be devastating for many families. Other clinics are already overflowing with lower income families that have no other way besides Planned Parenthood for healthcare and contraception.

Do you think that eliminating Planned Parenthood funding should take place? If you do what do you think should happen to the people who depend on if for healthcare and education?

If funding was ended how do you feel about the possible increase in unexpected pregnancies?

If the funding is taken away where do you think that money should go instead?

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/to-fund-or-not-to-fund-planned-parenthood-performed-one-abortion-every-95-seconds-last-year/

http://surfbakersfieldmag.com/4846/cutting-planned-parenthood/