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Stephen Bachem
Letia Dulin
Chris Eaton
Ariel Gilpatrick
Carol Sieverts
Writing 1010-106
19 November 2015
You Think Its Bad Now
Once again we find the organization of Planned Parenthood under attack in an attempt to
defund them. Planned Parenthood needs government funding to continue to help those in need
of reproductive health care at reasonable costs. The defunding debate is founded on nothing but
politicians, and religious groups pushing their own agendas with misinformation. If the plan to
defund Planned Parenthood goes through the majority of people that will be affected are those
with lower income that cannot afford an $85 dollar shots to prevent pregnancy. Family doctors
offices would not be able to handle the nearly 2.7 million people that would be left without any
alternatives.
Abortion is the poster child of all the debates and riots regarding Planned Parenthood.
The real question thats being asked is should abortion be legal or not. Planned Parenthood has
arguably been the face of the entire debate since the 60s and is right in the centerfold even more
so today. Religious values are put to test by this organization that can provide safe and cheap
abortions where other birth control methods have failed. There are recent videos of Planned

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Parenthood executives talking about the selling of aborted embryonic parts putting the company
under fire, and causing some state officials to move to defund the entire organization altogether.
Who are the opponents?
We must first look at the opponents of Planned Parenthood, and their motives for wanting
to defund the organization. Most of this debate is over the morality of abortion in general. There
are many groups geared to pulling the plug because of their social beliefs, groups like the
American Life League (ALL), who make a strong argument based on their theological values
and beliefs. The problem is how they choose to show their side with misinformation. Programs
formed by ALL, like Defend the Family and its goals,
American Life Leagues Defend the Family campaign is a brand new
effort to have Planned Parenthood declared an enemy of the Catholic Church. By
encouraging regular prayers after Mass for the conversion of individual countries
from the ideologies of Planned Parenthood to the word of God, offering prayers
for the pope, and opening communication with local bishops about the dangers
Planned Parenthood poses to the faithful, it is our hope that this prayer-led effort
will inspire the Holy Father to officially declare Planned Parenthood an enemy of
the Church. (ALL)
and STOPP, Stop Planned Parenthood, and their purpose.
The purpose of STOPP is really quite simple. We intend to cause such
discontent with Planned Parenthood programs that it will have no choice but to
close its doors and get out of town! That doesnt seem like too much to ask of an

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organization that has been ruthlessly attacking our children for years-abusing
them in the womb and in the classroom. (ALL)
What they are attacking is based on belief, which they have a right too, but their
argument is not based on fact.
Where is our money being spent?
What is Planned Parenthood, and what services do they offer? What makes them so
offensive that they should be defunded, and ultimately be shut down?
Our first look at Planned Parenthood and we see their mission statement:
Planned Parenthood believes in the fundamental right of each individual,
throughout the world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual's
income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or
residence. We believe that respect and value for diversity in all aspects of our
organization are essential to our well-being. We believe that reproductive selfdetermination must be voluntary and preserve the individual's right to privacy. We
further believe that such self-determination will contribute to an enhancement of
the quality of life and strong family relationships. (Misson)

The main argument against abortion being their primary service is untrue. Abortion only
makes up three percent of the services provided, and no federal funding is spent toward this. In
fact in most states it is against the law for federal, state, or local government funds to go towards

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abortion. Most services are aimed toward the reproductive health of women, and men, here is
the breakdown of where the money
goes:
The purpose of Planned
Parenthood is to provide care at a
reasonable cost to those who use it.
They are a nonprofit organization that
serves all, and make care for low, and
middle income families affordable. So how would losing federal funding affect Planned
Parenthood, and what portion of funding comes from the government?
During the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014, the most recent for which
data is available, Planned Parenthood affiliates around the country received
$528.4 million in government funds (a combination of state, federal and
sometimes local government dollars), according to the organization's own annual
report and information it's required to share with the IRS. Those federal dollars
were the single largest source of money coming into the organization and its local
affiliates, by far. Another $305.3 million came from nongovernment sources,
about $257.4 million reached the organization after private donors and
foundations made contributions and bequests. The organization also raised
another $54.7 million in fees charged for its services. So, government funding
with federal dollars comprising the biggest portion of this part of the
organization's budget are absolutely critical to Planned Parenthood's total
operation (Janell Ross).

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Close to half of Planned

Parenthood funding comes from the
government. What would happen if
that was lost? There would be
millions of patients that would not
get the care they need.
Who are the political opponents? This debate can be traced back over the last
forty years, and our federal governments bipartisanship. In the paper The rights Planned
Parenthood trap: Manufactured controversies, pliant Democrats and the decades-long plot to
defund the left written by Josh Mound, he argues that our political right, the GOP, has been
opposing the left, the Democratic Party.
For decades, conservative activists and their Republican allies have been working
to undermine financial and organizational support for the Democratic Party by
defunding the left. The result has been a steady erosion of the Democratic
Partys base, part of a larger shift in the political playing field that has empowered
conservative interest groups and activists. (Mound)
These political attacks on groups like Planned Parenthood have been going on for
decades. Driven by politicians that are pushing a hard line on these subjects based on their own
beliefs. Even one of Utahs own had an opinion from senate hearings held in 1981.
Orrin Hatch charged that Planned Parenthood did not simply want to
disseminate health information and services, but to change the behavior, the

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attitudes, and the social values of our culture to Planned Parenthoods

antipregnancy, antifamily, and antibaby outlook. (Mound)
Another main concern of those opposed are our tax dollars. They worry that our money is
being spent towards horrible acts and not the many other services offered. An incredible detail
about Planned Parenthood is their flexibility. Their services are usually offered no matter how
much you have. If you need a morning after pill but do not have the funds for it, they gladly give
it and bill you later.
Letia, a mother at just seventeen talks about how Planned Parenthood helped her through
her pregnancies. Planned Parenthood is and has always been for the last twelve years of mine a
complete life saver. Each time I have personally visited the establishment I have received
nothing but good care, concern, and pleasant direction. With my first child Planned Parenthood
gave me education and options to continue my pregnancy never did I feel I was being pressured
for abortion. I was young and not ready to be a mother, but with the resources I was given such
as Baby Your Baby, and WIC I received all the help I needed. I learned what it would take to be a
mother and also the many challenges I would face. It was up to me as to what to do with my
child. I have sometimes received services for free due to my financial situation at the time, no
services were denied a simple pay what you can the next time. I know many people can relate
we all have hard times. Planned Parenthood is prochoice and it is ultimately the mother and
fathers decision on what to do with their child. Planned Parenthood is doing what they are paid
to which is to education, guide, and support and even today while Im pregnant with my third
child, do they continue to help. (Interview)

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Their priority is the health and safety and the women and men of this country. Even the
states who have chosen to defund Planned Parenthood havent been completely successful.
Lets do some simple math. Out of the 10.6 million services done at Planned Parenthood,
327,653 of them were abortion procedures. 327,653 mothers who were unable or unwilling to
take care of a child. How many of these women are already on welfare?
109,631,000 Americans lived in households that received benefits from one or more
federally funded "means-tested programs" also known as welfare (Jeffrey)
With Planned Parenthood shut down the massive influx of people into less affordable
healthcare systems would clog up family doctors offices or not even seek care. Teen pregnancy
and STI rates would sky
rocket. Utahs teenage
pregnancy rate has gone down
drastically since 2011 and if
this pattern reversed it would
be devastating. STIs on the
other hand have been rising
among teens. Many 15- 24
year old believe that they cant get an STI. They havent slept with that many people. While this
is obviously not true the financial situations of most 15- 24 year old cant afford, even with
insurance, the cost of getting the recommended testing each year. An affordable example of a
comprehensive STD panel is 249 dollars. At Planned Parenthood the cost is based off of your
annual income and with everyone having insurance you could be screened for free.

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Planned Parenthood has faced many moral opponents and for now their funding is being
decided on state by state. Utah cannot afford to lose this valuable resource. Doctors offices
around the country would be even busier than they already are. Teens would live with and be
unaware they carry STIs because they didnt want to ask their family doctor for fear of their
parents finding out. Many women would be forced to carry unwanted babies to term because
they dont know where else they could go. Women would learn about adoption options from
google and not a well informed source. Planned Parenthood offers affordable anonymous care.

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Works Cited
ALL. Mission Statement American Life League 2015. Web. November 12, 2015
Diep, Francie. "What Would Happen If the U.S. Defunded Planned Parenthood?" Psmag. Pacific
.

Standard, 6 Aug. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

Gellman, Lauren. "Female-Headed Households and the Welfare System: Current Trends and .
New Reforms." Female-Headed Households and the Welfare System: Current Trends and
.

New Reforms. E.D.G.E., 4 June 1999. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.

Jacobson, Louis. "Are There More Welfare Recipients in the U.S. than Full-time Workers?" .
Politifact. Pundit Fact, 28 Jan. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
Kurtzleben, Danielle. "Fact Check: How Does Planned Parenthood Spend That Government .
Money?" NPR. NPR, 5 Aug. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
"Mission." Mission. Planned Parenthood. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
Mound, Josh. The rights Planned Parenthood trap: Manufactured controversies, pliant
.

Democrats and the decade-long plot to defund the left. Salon.com September 19, 2015.

Web. October 20, 2015.

Obamacare Facts. "Do We Still Need Planned Parenthood? - Obamacare Facts." Obamacare .
Facts. Obamacarefacts.com, 23 July 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood's Financial Year 2013-2014 annual report Planned

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Parenthood 2015. Web. November 12, 2015.

"Reportable STDs in Young People 15-24 Years of Age, by State." Centers for Disease Control .
and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27 June 2014. Web. 1 Dec. .
2015.
Ross, Janell. How Planned Parenthood actually uses its federal funding The Washington Post. .
August 4, October 8, 2015.
STD Tests and Pricing. (n.d.). Web. December 1, 2015
STOPP. Mission Statement: the Purpose American Life League 2015. Web. November 6, 2015