Planned Parenthood should not be defunded now Or ever

Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people. Giving birth to another human being can be both a blessing, but for mothers in some circumstances in can be dangerous, and lead to incredible struggles.

From the 1880’s through 1973, abortion was illegal under all circumstances, even in situations of rape, incest or if the mother’s life was in jeopardy. Despite the fact that abortion is only a tiny percentage of Planned Parenthood’s health care service,  many Republicans are currently hoping to defund the program.

This could lead some women to take matters into her own hands, decreasing the safety of this legally protected right. But the most disturbing part of the idea of defunding Planned Parenthood is that this would take away services from many women that help them prevent pregnancy. As a result, this decision would lead to more abortions.

Prochoice.org, a site providing statistics and reasoning on why abortion and Planned Parenthood should not be cut says, “woman may even face problems with the uterus, retained placentas, severe bleeding, cervical wounds, rampant infections, shock and many other issues when one provides their own abortion.”

According to its web site, Planned Parenthood is an “health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.’’

However, current Speaker of the House Paul Ryan recently reiterated the plan to repeal The Affordable Care Act and to defund Planned Parenthood. This leaves the question, why would you defund Planned Parenthood if you want to limit abortions in this country? Planned Parenthood has helped reduce the number of teenage and unwanted pregnancies since its inception. In the last 20 years, the abortion rate has been cut by 50 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control.  The main reason for this is that many women have much easier access to birth control. Many students are angry that our government would take away health services that many lower income families depend upon.

“I feel that you should not defund something that helps other people,” said Alicia Warner, a junior at Milford High school. “If you defund Planned Parenthood you take away our rights.”

She is not the only Milford student who feels this way.

Maggie Cooney, a Milford senior, speaks on the issue saying, “I’m concerned if we take away a way for woman to have an abortion like it is provided in Planned Parenthood woman will most likely provide an abortion their own way if they are scared, lost and feel alienated.”

Many male students also see the value in this organization.

Miles Morris, a sophomore at Milford said, “I think the main fight for defunding it so for the abortion controversy, yet Planned Parenthood provides so much more than that; abortion only makes up a percentage of what planned parenthood is and stands for.”

Other students have mixed feelings.

Mike Stevenson reacted by to the idea of defunding by saying, “this is a tough topic really, especially when it comes to abortion… I am pro life personally, but I don’t know how they would even defund it.”

Abortion is legal in this country. Planned Parenthood offers that service, but it does so much more to prevent these unwanted pregnancies from ever occurring in the first place. Defunding Planned Parenthood would only cause more unwanted pregnancies and limit health care access to many women in need.