Protestors from both sides of the debate have filled city streets in major cities across the country after the Republican-led House of Representatives voted to block all federal funding to Planned Parenthood under H.R. 1, also known as the Pence Amendment, on February 18.
Now, the push to defund Planned Parenthood moves on to the Senate.
Concerned collegiettes™ speak out on the issue while others remain divided.
“The House made a huge error voting to defund Planned Parenthood,” said Allie Jones, a sophomore at the College of William and Mary. “Many American women rely on Planned Parenthood for STD screenings, contraception, and basic gynecological care. Planned Parenthood also provides life-saving cervical cancer screenings. It’s not just for low-income women, it’s for all of us.”
Other services offered by Planned Parenthood include: general health care, breast cancer screenings, HPV and hepatitis vaccines, and the one that causes all the controversy, abortion.
But no federal funding goes to abortion at Planned Parenthood or any other organization in the U.S.
Elizabeth Wiley, a third-year medical student at the George Washington University and American Medical Student Association co-legislative director, cited some of the health care services provided by Planned Parenthood, saying that without federal funding, these evidence-based services would not be available.
About one-third of Planned Parenthood’s budget comes from federal funding.
Elora Tocci, a Syracuse University sophomore, said, “If the government wants to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, it needs to ensure these services are offered at the same quality, cost and level of accessibility.”
Wiley said cutting Planned Parenthood’s funding could have devastating health consequences for many women in college, especially if they rely on Planned Parenthood for affordable access to health care. “These cuts will have a disproportionate effect on college-age women,” she said. “The Planned Parenthood funding at stake is not funding for abortion — it’s funding for basic women’s health services.”
But not everyone shares Wiley’s perspective.
Karen Shablin, an independent health-care consultant and former speaker for Feminists for Life, said moral issues are involved. “The Title X [Family Planning program] dollars sent to Planned Parenthood do not directly fund abortion services, but they certainly fund the infrastructure and offset the cost of Planned Parenthood’s expansive abortion service empire.”
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Another issue within Planned Parenthood, that Shablin said should be considered, is the danger involved in having a health care provider prescribe contraceptives without knowing the patient’s full medical history.
Many providers require pelvic exams before prescribing contraception, a practice that has been questioned in the past year.
Discarding the alleged moral ties and questionable practices, Melanie Yates, a junior at Hofstra University, said the House’s approval of the Pence Amendment is a huge step backwards for women’s rights and health.
“The politicians that have voted to block funding for Planned Parenthood have a complete disregard for women’s health,” Yates said. “Getting rid of Planned Parenthood won’t prevent unwanted pregnancies, and it won’t educate younger women on how to be sexually responsible. If anything, more women will turn to illegal and unsafe abortion procedures, which should never have to be the only option.”
In recent developments, as the discussion around the Affordable Care Act continues in the House, Rep. Steve King (R-IA) said, “The stance needs to be that we will not vote to fund Obamacare, and I’m going to add to this, that neither shall we vote to fund Planned Parenthood. And I shall be looking for ways to unfund every other entity like them that promotes abortion or provides abortion as a matter of practice within their facility. Planned Parenthood is invested in promiscuity.”
Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, spoke out against the GOP’s efforts in the House during an interview on Democracy Now! saying they’ve declared a “war on women.”
Several other collegiettes™ like Melanie Yates identified the House’s vote to block federal funding for Planned Parenthood as an enormous setback for women.
“The House’s vote indicates that women’s health and safety are not a priority,” Elora Tocci said. “In particular, this is a war on lower and lower middle class women who cannot afford health care.”
But Beverly Solomon, creative director at musee-solomon (an art and design business), hopes that the acts of Congress will make college women practice more responsible behavior, more morality, self-respect, and self-control, as well as have more respect for human life.
“I am part of the generation who fought for women’s rights,” Solomon said. “I was one of the first women to be an account executive in sales and marketing in the fashion industry. Yet, I am shocked, disappointed and disgusted how women have abused and misused their hard-won rights.”
The House’s decision to block funding for Planned Parenthood is surrounded with opposing viewpoints from various groups, especially pro-life and pro-choice supporters.
Those in protest of the vote have taken the stance: “I stand with Planned Parenthood.”
To get involved, contact your Senators and tell them what you think.
Sources:
Allie Jones, sophomore at the College of William and Mary
Beverly Solomon, creative director at musee-solomon
Karen Shablin, an independent health-care consultant
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Elora Tocci, Syracuse University sophomore
Elizabeth Wiley, J.D., M.P.H., third year medical student at the George Washington University and American Medical Student Association co-legislative director
Melanie Yates, junior at Hofstra University