Planned Parenthood

“In December, the Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule that would prohibit states from withholding federal funds from Planned Parenthood. On Monday afternoon, a Republican senator introduced a bill that would reverse it...along with a second bill that would prohibit Planned Parenthood from receiving any federal funding—including Medicaid....The Hyde Amendment already prohibits federal funds from being used for most abortions,” says Heather Levintova on website, Mother Jones.

Planned Parenthood provides sexual and reproductive healthcare, education, information, and outreach to nearly five million women, men, and adolescents worldwide, with over half of those people be- ing in the United States. In California alone there are 111 Planned Parenthood centers, with the closest one to us being in Walnut Creek on Oakland Boulevard.

Planned Parenthood provides more than 270,000 Pap tests and more than 360,000 breast exams in a single year, critical services in detecting cancer. Other services provided include cancer screenings, prenatal services, and family services. According to the website, only 3% of Planned Parenthood’s health services are abortion services.

Anti-abortion protester, Linda is part of a group who stands out- side of the Walnut Creek Planned Parenthood praying and trying to guide people away from the facility, “We decided a long time ago that we needed to be here to pray” Linda says, “They’re aborting babies you know. No matter how small they are, that baby is a life. It’s wrong to support a company who would do that. They try to make it seem like it’s the easier answer for women, and then these women have to deal with the fact that they killed their child”. This group has been praying outside of Planned Parenthood for twenty years.

“I don’t think planned parenthood should receive taxpayers money while they offer abortions, something 46% of the country is against. I think their other services are good, but they account for 30% of the country’s abortions” says junior Chris Whittington

Planned Parenthood has more than 10 million activists, supporters, and donors working for women’s health, safety and fundamental re- productive rights. “The defunding of Planned Parenthood would be an infringement on women’s rights on many fronts, not only those of abortion access but of classism,” says sophomore, and co-organizer of the Feminism Club, Zoe Larkin. 79% of Planned Parenthood’s patients have incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

Senior Jackie Leonard says “Planned Parenthood gives options, I think that’s the important part. It gives women the option to be free and choose what to do with their own bodies. Pregnant women can go there and choose to give birth and keep the baby but they are also given other options. Personally I am on birth control and I’m glad that I, and other young people, have the option to do that.”