No One Could Know

Though I am a former Planned Parenthood client, after having an abortion, I changed my mind about the organization and what they offer.

Now I believe there are nearly 60 million reasons for Congress to defund PP. That’s one human reason for everyone who has been aborted between 1973 and 2016*.

While that count tallies abortions from other facilities as well as PP, I don’t believe taxpayers should fund any organizations that commit infanticide. If even one human killed by abortion is not reason enough to defund PP, consider these reasons:

WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF MY HEALTH NEEDS IF PP IS DEFUNDED?

Federal funding would be redirected to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that do not provide abortions. Nationwide, there are 13 times more FQHCs than there are PPs, serving 8 times more clients. By defunding PP in Iowa, for example, more rural women are served than ever before.

After Iowa legislators defunded abortion providers in the state this 2017 session, Iowa State Rep. Joel Fry stated in a May 18 press release:

“During the legislative session, we provided more than $3.3 million to go towards women’s health and family planning services and moved to a state-administered program. There were no cuts to these programs and the same amount of funding remains available. Due to the switch to a state-run program, funding and access to women’s health services will be more readily available [emphasis is mine] in rural areas rather than concentrated in Iowa’s largest cities. People will be able to receive these services in their local communities now instead of being forced to drive long distances.”

 

HEALTHCARE OPTIONS 

Defunding Planned Parenthood nationwide would not reduce available health care for women, as some fear. Here’s why:

— MAMMOGRAMS: As Cecile Richards has confirmed, mammograms are not given by PP.

— MANUAL BREAST EXAMS: PP provides less than 2% of America’s MANUAL breast exams (which is different than a mammogram), meaning 98% of women already receive breast care from other providers.

— PAP TESTS: PP provides less than 1% of America’s Pap tests. Pap tests are recommended every three years, so  the average number of women per year who receive Pap tests is  estimated at 28.1 million (84.3 million / 3 years); PP reported having done 271,539 Pap tests in the 2014-15 fiscal year. (Source: Planned Parenthood 2014-15 annual report, page 30), making their Pap test market share 0.97% (271,539 / 28.1 million x 100).

 

WHAT ABOUT THE COSTS OF HEALTH CARE FOR POOR WOMEN?

— PAPS: 99% of Americans get Pap tests somewhere besides PP. But for those still looking for an affordable option, Costhelper reported that for those not covered by health insurance, a conventional Pap test usually costs from $25 to $40; a liquid-based Pap test,  sometimes referred to by the brand name ThinPrep, costs $45 to $60, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

— MAMMOGRAMS: Medicare covers preventative mammograms.

— FREE PREGNANCY AND STI TESTING is done at hundreds of pregnancy centers nationwide. See a list below.

— CONTRACEPTION: According to Democrats for Life, “…a majority of women now receive free contraception through their healthcare plans. Almost 90 percent of Americans receive insurance through their employee, Medicaid, Medicare or Military — plans that all require contraception be provide with no cost sharing. For those who do not have health insurance, Community Health Centers and Title X clinics offer all of these services free of charge.” On page 7 of their report, Democrats for Life stated that, “With under 700 facilities and fewer than 10 clinics in 31 states, [Planned Parenthood] serves … less than 1.4 percent of US women.”

 

WHAT ABOUT OTHER HEALTH CARE?

Besides PP, our federal taxes already fund over 1,200 health center organizations with more than 8,000 locations in all 50 states. These FQHCs serve more than 23 million patients, providing comprehensive health care such as primary medical care, laboratory tests, X-rays, and dental and mental health services — far beyond the range of services offered by Planned Parenthood. (Source: Focus on the Family)

According to Planned Parenthood’s 2014-15 annual report, abortions made up 94% of their pregnancy resolution services, while prenatal care accounted for only 5% (17,419) and adoption referrals only 0.6% (2,024). Their focus is not health—or pregnancy—“care.” It’s about abortion.

Despite the Planned Parenthood name, 95% of 97 Planned Parenthood clinics contacted reported that they do not offer prenatal Planned Parenthood is not about parenthood. It’s about preventing parenthood, or to be more precise: It’s about abortion.

Also despite their name, Planned PARENTHOOD does not provide pediatric care for children of mothers who choose life for their child. Planned Parenthood is not about parenthood. It’s about abortion.

 

OTHER REASONS TO DEFUND PP

— Slashing government spending in social services is often given as a reason to continue funding PP. If saving government money is the case, wouldn’t abstinence and family PLANNING education be a wiser use of money than teaching sexology in schools?

— PP hurts women. Most PP clinics are unregulated as health centers. That should be cause for concern! A 2007 Missouri law established that abortion clinics must meet the same medical standards as ambulatory surgery centers that provide same-day, outpatient surgical procedures. The Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Missouri opposed, stating it would “impose unnecessary regulation on abortion clinics.” — Safety and sanitation are unnecessary? (Source:Iowa Right to Life.)

— Post-abortive suffering—the emotional cost of abortion—is ignored or downplayed by PP. Post-abortive care or follow-up didn’t exist for me after my Colorado abortion, nor has it been provided to many women in my same shoes. Kevin Sherlock documented over 140 lawsuits against Planned Parenthood in his book, The Scarlet Survey, for abuses such as unsanitary conditions, health code violations, medical malpractice, equipment deficiency, fraudulent billing, altered lab reports, sex offenses and more. Also here in the Heartland: “The woman was well aware of the risks associated with the procedure before it was performed on her at the Lincoln clinic this summer.” -Planned Parenthood attorney James Snowden, referring to a woman who nearly bled to death from a botched abortion by the Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Nebraska and Council Bluffs. (Source:Lincoln Journal Star, 11/28/07 and Iowa Right to Life.)

That being said, what type of post-abortive counsel would be/is given by PP? “That’s OK, honey. Killing your baby is a normal part of the circle of life”? Not being “judged” is not what I’m talking about. Having an abortion is nothing like getting your wisdom teeth taken out. Another human being is growing inside the woman’s body. The issue of ending the life of another human is plainly, and simply, murder. Call it what it is.

— The fetal tissue research argument is now deemed an ineffective and outdated methodology, according to a Charlotte Lozier Institute report, which includes recent information under Vaccine Development and Basic Biology Research.

— Some argue that The Hyde Amendment restricts the use of federal money for abortion, but those dollars can be used for overhead expenses, like rent and utilities. They’re listed on a separate line item, but funding is still supporting the same facility and employees.

— When offered a deal by President Trump for federal funding to continue if abortion services were stopped, PP’s response was “hell no.” Cecile Richards then tweeted that abortions were as vital to her organization as “birth control or cancer screenings.” Planned Parenthood is not about planning FOR parenthood. PP exists to prevent

— PP does not need government funding, anyway. In 2014, Cecile Richards earned $957,952 from the “non-profit,” according to IRS records, and PP received $528 million in tax funding the same year. 2014 data shows PP’s revenue exceeded their expenses by over $90 million. And according to an annual report as well as Forbes, PP has over one billion dollars in assets. They’re making plenty of money on their own. Why should our taxes continue to fund this business?

— Another reason to defund PP is the undercover videos by Centers for Medical Progress, which reveal that baby body parts are being sold. If pregnancy “tissue” is not a baby human, what is it they’re selling?

 

FREE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE

If you’re in the Omaha, Nebraska area, we at Nebraskans United for Life provide FREE material assistance to mothers and children, with everything from diapers to cribs and strollers and everything in between, including clothes. We also provide free pregnancy tests, free STI tests and free sonograms as well as sex education and family planning. And, many other organizations do also!

Nationwide, there are pregnancy centers filled with people who VOLUNTEER their time to help women. If you need help in your search, please contact me using the information below. In Nebraska, resources are not limited to the 23 listed in the website above, but also include:

Omaha

— Nebraskans United for Life/NuLife Pregnancy Resource Center, 143 S. 38^th 402-399-0299.

— Assure Women’s Center, 6510 Sorensen Pkwy, 402-671-0506; or 14225 Dayton Circle, Suite 1, 402-671-0506.

— Mater Filius of Nebraska, 402-933-3466, and Bethlehem House, 2301 S. 15^th, are both live-in homes in Omaha for mothers and Humble Lily at 2580 S. 90^th is just one of a few women’s shelters in the area.

— Essential Pregnancy Services, 6220 Maple St, 402-554-0121; or 3029 N 93rd St. 402-763-8768; or in Bellevue,  908 W. Mission Ave., 402-933-2988

Fremont Life Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, 1835 E. Military Ave., Ste. 101, 402-721-5551

Lincoln Pregnancy Center, 111 Piazza Terrace, 402-483-4247

Kearney Collage Center, 3000 2nd Ave. Suite 100, 308-234-9880, or Grand Island, 822 N. Diers Ave. 308-675-2217

Hastings Wellspring: Pregnancy + Health Resources, 223 E. 14th St., 402-463-7785

Beatrice Pregnancy Resource Center of Beatrice, 2205 N 6th St., Suite 11, 402-228-6411

Mccook ABC Pregnancy Help Center, 110 W. C St., Ste. 10, 308-350-0126

 

In southwest Iowa: Pregnancy Center of Southwest Iowa, 406 N. 3rd St., Red Oak, 712-621-2117; and Gabriel’s Corner, 131 S. 16th St., Council Bluffs, 712-323-7756. Elsewhere in Iowa, here’s a list of helpful links.

In Missouri, click here for a full network of people statewide to help in every possible area.

NOTE: If you’re pregnant and are considering placing your child with another family, you may choose to do so anonymously or you can be involved in what’s called an “open adoption.” Learn more at http://www.adopt.org:8080/, where their slogan is “There are no unwanted children…just unfound families.” 

If you’re seeking help or information not seen here, please call me, Kristan Gray, the executive director of Nebraskans United for Life, at 402-399-0299 or email info@nebraskansunitedforlife.com.

Help is available. You are not alone.

*Based on numbers reported by the Guttmacher Institute 1973-2014, with projections of 926,190 for 2015 and 2016.