Feminism 101: Planned Parenthood
Paul Ryan and the Republican-controlled Congress are trying again to defund Planned Parenthood, only this time — with President-elect Trump at the helm — they just might succeed. Republicans have gone after Planned Parenthood for a long time, solely because they provide abortion care (despite the fact that Federal Funds do not cover abortion care). These politicians are imposing their religious beliefs on people across the US – ironic, given that this country was founded on the separation of church and state.
The defunding of Planned Parenthood will not stop abortions. Women (1 in 3) will still attempt to access that care, but it will become more expensive, much more time-consuming, and potentially less safe than it is now. In addition, millions of people – who use Planned Parenthood to fulfill their health needs – will be left without an affordable health care option for preventive and regular care like pap smears, breast exams, birth control or STD testing. In fact, many Americans — particularly working class and low-income people — rely on the health care they receive at Planned Parenthood, and they will now be scrambling to figure out what to do because of the GOP.
We asked our favorite feminists to tell us what Planned Parenthood means to them.
Sa’yida Shabazz: “Planned Parenthood saved me more than once. When I was younger, I didn’t have insurance and I was able to get coverage thanks to their help. I was able to get a pregnancy test there when I didn’t have a regular doctor. I will probably be going back now that I don’t have insurance again. They do so much good, and it’s not fair that this is happening.”