The effects of defunding Planned Parenthood are more than simply taking away the access to safe abortions. The organization does much more than abortions; it allows teenagers and adults to have preventative care. The United States has a tremendous need for safe and affordable healthcare for the citizens. Politicians are letting their own views about abortion cloud their judgment. They refuse to see how vital this organization has been for so many people.
Planned Parenthood has a vast array of services that are offered. There is STD testing available, LGBTQ services, men’s reproductive healthcare and much more. As a society we have allowed the conversation of sexual or reproductive health to be a taboo topic. By removing Planned Parenthood teens and young adults will have one less resource to use to keep them safe. They offer hormonal therapy for transgender people; this allows those that are transitioning to stay away from potentially bad products that would be bought off the street. The website offers multiple resources and reading material for gender identity and transitioning. They do not focus only on medical health; there is also a focus on mental health as well. The information on the website is free and it allows the individual to learn more in an environment they know is safe.
During one of my classes this week I was hit with the realization our schools and families are failing our children. We have young adults that do not know about the risks of STDs or the different types of STDs that are out there. It is not acceptable for parents to send their children out in the world without the proper guidance. How can we allow them to go out into the world without giving them some of the most basic information to keep them safe? They preform breast exams and offer help to enroll in health insurance.
In their annual report for 2018-2019 Planned Parenthood reveals that their staff and volunteers served 2.4 million patients with 9.8 million services provided. They assisted in over 2.5 million individuals getting birth control information and services. (Parenthood) Almost 400,000 unplanned pregnancies were avoided. Over 520,000 breast exams were done. 70,000 women were able to have early detection for cancer or any abnormalities identified. (Parenthood) These numbers talk and they make it known how important this organization is.
How can we allow others to decide what we do with our own bodies? It doesn’t make sense to me. I will stand with any woman or man who needs a helping hand to find their way to achieve their goal. Whether its transitioning or to find a place to have a medically safe abortion. Without the option for safe services people will look elsewhere and the risk of causing severe medical harm is high. Buying shots off the street or allowing a non-medical professional to do an abortion is setting our citizens up for terrible outcomes.
Parenthood, P. (n.d.). "Defunding" Planned Parenthood, Defined. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.istandwithpp.org/defund-defined
Parenthood, P. (n.d.). Our Services: Affordable Healthcare & Sex Education. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/get-care/our-services
Parenthood, P. (n.d.). Planned Parenthood Annual Report. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/facts-figures/annual-report
From this class, you know that about 10.5% of the population is poor, and we have a couple million adults living in such abject poverty that they live on less than $2 a day. Surely it makes sense to help such persons avoid becoming pregnant or sick. The sexual health services and preventive health services provided by Planned Parenthood do a great service to all of society. My wife and I used Planned Parenthood services when we were young and in college and poor.
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