Why Planned Parenthood should stay funded
Planned Parenthood should not be defunded. I understand this opinion is an unpopular one at the moment, but Planned Parenthood should continue to receive money from the government for a number of important reasons.
First of all, an investigation has rightfully been opened after allegations of the organization selling fetal tissue for profit. I agree that a full and unbiased investigation should ensue after watching the videos that were leaked. However, there is currently no proof that Planned Parenthood profited from the exchanges. It’s completely legal for women to consent to give fetal tissue from their abortions to medical research and it’s also legal for Planned Parenthood to aid them in this. Eric Fererro, vice president of communications at Planned Parenthood, said, “In health care, patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, such as treatments and cures for serious diseases. Women at Planned Parenthood who have abortions are no different.”
Also, it’s important to remember who produced these videos. The group that leaked the videos is the Center for Medical Progress, an extremist pro-life organization dead-set on making it so that women in this country don’t have access to abortions. I don’t think that the religious views of some individuals should decide what everyone in this country has access to. Separation of church and state is a very important constitutional concept and should be fully applied in this country’s government. Unfortunately, many states have already independently defunded Planned Parenthood due to the religious beliefs of the majority in these states.
A large issue in this debate is the fact that many people aren’t aware that Planned Parenthood provides an abundance of services outside of abortions. In fact, abortions aren’t the most common service at the organization. They provide consultations about cervical, breast, and testicular cancer screenings; diabetes screening; flu vaccinations; anemia testing; birth control; STD testing, treatment, and prevention; male infertility screening; and help for women going through menopause. Perhaps the most important aspect of what they provide is their funding program. Women and men who can’t afford to go to the doctor for these services are able to get them for free at Planned Parenthood due to donations. For many, these services are vital. If Planned Parenthood were shut down, women who couldn’t afford birth control would no longer have access to it, many might not find out whether or not they have life threatening diseases, STD rates would likely increase, and women would have a much more difficult time getting an abortion. For some, getting an abortion might become nearly impossible.
If our government wants to shut down Planned Parenthood, replacement organizations or programs offering the same services should be implemented first. This way, services would still be available to those in need and the government could determine whether or not any illegal activity took place at Planned Parenthood simultaneously.
*The article originally referenced that Planned Parenthood offers mammograms, which is incorrect. This assertion was removed from the article by the editor after a comment pointed out said error.*
Photo courtesy of Flickr:https://www.flickr.com/photos/cecooper/5480490632/in/photolist-9mhWVN-7QfXFn-7QjhLj-7Qj7nh-7QfYaa-7QjdPQ-d6ZVzG-9mei64-amPArV-R5VRT-9mntLU-QcTtM-7Qj9ou-hkT7ha-hkTdvH-hkTREm-hkTM4j-bDoAkM-hkT9zX-3d2fiH-v4niNJ-R46aJ-PT5nx-61Kvrp-5Ux1EM-jTbmbV-jTj4po-hkUSt2-hkUJqD-hkT5Zv-hkTKZU-7Qjj1u-hkTau2-7QfQpB-hkULwT-9mjuui-hkTMTf-hkT8nr-hkUHhX-9mf1PZ-bVLgLU-5UBs5d-9RBcCm-9ms99L-9mp8HM-amSqi5-amPzYn-amSpjC-amPzDV-yXrEGm
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Ann • Oct 9, 2015 at 11:26 pm
Diane – I am the parent of a current Loyola University student. I also read this article. I thought it was well written, well-reasoned and brave, especially considering the fact that the author acknowledged up front that her opinion would likely not be a popular one. Whether or not I agree with the author is not important; I am still able to appreciate her reasoning and her willingness to share her viewpoint.
You seem to think that Loyola University is no longer a good school and worse, is a “disgrace to its namesake,” because a student expressed an opinion that runs counter to the teachings of the Catholic Church. I disagree. The ability to independently research a subject, consider it from all angles, and ultimately form a personal opinion is a by-product of an excellent education.
You also suggest that the staff of The Greyhound should feel shame for publishing this piece. Please familiarize yourself with the First Amendment. It’s a good one. I applaud the editors for supporting it.
Chloe – The best opinion pieces are ones that are thought-provoking. So, good job on this!
Chloe Nightingale • Oct 10, 2015 at 11:58 am
Thank you so much, Ann!
Maureen • Oct 9, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Diane, I will not say what I think of you, because I am a lady! How dare you judge a young student who voices her opinion just because it differs from yours. I get that you are old and stuck in the mid century but that does not give you the right to hurt someone else with your unChristian, hateful words. SHAME on you!
Chloe, you are a gifted and talented writer. Keep writing controversial subject matter because that’s what gets people talking. I think your approach was fair minded and focused on the good things that PP does.
Chloe Nightingale • Oct 10, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Thank you, Maureen!
Sonya • Oct 9, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Preach
Hanna • Oct 9, 2015 at 5:58 pm
Well written and considers both sides of a contentious debate. I think that a certain commenter has taken things a little too far. Chloe, don’t let hateful personal attacks get you down! Keep writing thoughtful and well-informed pieces like this one.
Chloe Nightingale • Oct 10, 2015 at 12:10 pm
Thanks, Hanna!
JC2014 • Oct 9, 2015 at 5:01 pm
“I know personally several of the people involved in advising CMP in its undercover investigations, and they are credible, intelligent people.” So, Diane, are you referring to the domestic terrorists from Operation Rescue, who have murdered doctors and bombed clinics? Perhaps you’re referring to the misinformation specialists from Live Action, who tried a similar video stunt a few years ago, in which no wrongdoing was found. Or maybe you mean the Alliance Defending Freedom, who have fought for the right to harass doctors and patients outside of clinics and continually try to hijack our country’s laws in service of a narrow religious agenda. I have an entire family full of pro-choice and progressive Catholics who are loving, accepting, and deeply involved in their communities, and they are getting tired of being categorized with people like you who seek to use religion to gain control over others’ behavior. You are entitled to your views about abortion, but it is a legal medical procedure protected by constitutional law in this country. Perhaps you don’t recall, but women DIED prior to Roe v. Wade because bans do not stop and have never stopped abortion — they stop safe abortions conducted under hygienic conditions. Tens of thousands of women die every year in countries with abortion bans. This is reality. Also, the Hyde Amendment precludes your tax dollars from being used for abortion. Lastly, no illegal activity whatsoever has been found on the part of Planned Parenthood, and they are an important resource for many women and families in poverty in our country. 22% of American children live in poverty, and many of their parents are those whose reproductive healthcare would be taken away if this organization were to lose its eligibility to receive Medicaid reimbursements. I invite you to review the facts before you present an argument to our community or others. We are not in the business of promoting propaganda.
Chloe, thank you for this informative and brave article. You have clearly done your homework.
Chloe Nightingale • Oct 10, 2015 at 12:09 pm
Thank you!
Sean • Oct 9, 2015 at 4:21 pm
Dear Diane,
I couldn’t help but laugh when I read your blatantly ignorant response to my fellow greyhounds opinion. America was founded on the ideals of equality for all, and especially the separation of church and state. I don’t know about the rest of my classmates, but as a Lutheran going to a catholic institution, i can’t help but be deeply disturbed at the prospect that there are people like you on this earth. Your moral principles definitely do no have the merit to govern the rest of this nation. As a man, I support women who wish to have the choice of whether or not to have a child, not everyone sees abortion as murder.
Your argument is full of ad hominem, because your ignorance and immaturity in the world around you. You do not have the right to tell people that they are a disgrace to their school for disagreeing with your religious beliefs, in fact, I found your reply absolutely abhorrent.
Right on Chloe, your class is behind you.
Diane check yo self.
Chloe Nightingale • Oct 9, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Thanks, Sean! I’m happy to be a part of such a progressive class that’s full of diversity and open to all viewpoints and religious beliefs.
Diane Levero • Oct 9, 2015 at 12:43 pm
This article by Chloe Nightingale makes me sick to my stomach! My late husband, daughter, and a grandson are graduates of Loyola (1957, 1979, and 2008 respectively). Loyola used to be a good school; now it is a disgrace to its namesake, Ignatius Loyola, and a disgrace to all Catholics who actually believe what the Church teaches about abortion.
Chloe, your arguments are full of holes. There is no reason that federal taxpayers must be forced to pay for abortions; it is unconstitutional, if nothing else. Abortion is the killing of unborn human babies, plain and simple. You name-call the Center for Medical Progress a right-wing extremist group simply because they are against abortion. Being against abortion is not right-wing extremism; it is the teaching of the Catholic Church. I know personally several of the people involved in advising CMP in its undercover investigations, and they are credible, intelligent people,
There are plenty of other government-funded clinics where low-income women can get the other services you mention without cost – and by the way, PP does NOT do mammograms – CEO Cecile Richards has admitted they only do referrals for mammograms.
Shame on the Loyola Greyhound for publishing this disgusting piece. Shame on you, Chloe, for advocating killing unborn babies.
Samantha • Oct 9, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Dear Diane,
I am writing to you now as an invitation to get educated. Clearly, you have lived your life blissfully ignorant of the many issues the women of this nation face, especially in regards to their health.
However, before I dive into that topic, I would like to correct you on your accusation that Loyola is a disgrace to its namesake. Loyola may be a JESUIT institution, but the students that attend this fine university are not required to also be of that faith or a member of the Christian faith in general either. You, Diane, are the disgrace to Catholics as you speak before thinking and say offensive things that not all Christians agree with. Just like there is a small sect of radical Islamists that give Muslims a bad image, you are the Christian equivalent. The Crusades ended thousands of years ago, Diane, please move on and stop forcing your religion down others’ throats.
Diane, your argument is full of holes. The Church should have no influence over the government. And in regards to the Constitution, there is nothing in it that references abortions, so do not say something is unconstitutional unless you have a full understanding of it. Also, the federal taxes are not solely funding abortions. The money goes towards many other medical services that are unaffordable and inaccessible for women otherwise. Abortions are also sometimes a medical necessity for pregnant women who, for example, have an atopic pregancy. By being anti-abortion you are not pro-life because it means you are willing to sacrifice the life of the mother. Also, Chloe can call the Center for Medical Progress any name she wants: it’s called FREEDOM OF SPEECH. That freedom is why you were allowed to word-vomit all over her well-written article. So as long as extremist Catholics like you and the Westboro Baptist Church are abusing the LGBTQA community and women who seek these LEGAL medical services, I and any other sane individual will name-call you and the groups that share your ignorant opinion as well.
This article does not once advocate for abortions. Chloe simply argues that the organization should not be defunded because of all of the important work it does for women and research. Shame on you Diane for your lack of an excellent Greyhound education. And shame on you twice for thinking you could write such a disgusting and harmful comment to an aspiring young writer who bravely wrote her opinion.
So Diane, I leave you with the words of St. Ignatius: “Be slow to speak, and only after having first listened quietly, so that you may understand the meaning, learning, and wishes of those who do speak. Thus you will better known when to speak and when to be silent.”
Go forth and set the world on fire, Chloe.
*drops mic*
Chloe Nightingale • Oct 10, 2015 at 12:09 pm
Thank you so much, Samantha! I love that quote by St. Ignatius.
J • Feb 3, 2016 at 2:41 pm
Oh man, that gave me goosebumps. Great response to ignorance, Samantha!
John Cena • Oct 14, 2015 at 5:18 pm
Hi Diane,
If I might make a suggestion: Don’t read the “Opinions Section” if reading views contrary to your own offends you so much.
I mean, come on: you’re “disgusted?” The Greyhound should be “ashamed?” As a few seconds of Googling reveals, you’ve made quite the career for yourself protesting abortion–I would have figured you’d be used to this. For an article this mild to shake you up like this is a little hard to believe. Unless you’re… exaggerating???
The world may never know.
It’s also interesting to me that you “know personally” several of the people “involved in advising” the CMP. Sounds to me like you have at least several horses in this race.
More power to you for bringing the pro-life voice to this conversation, but I’ve got to say I’d be shocked if you’ve convinced anyone. You’ve basically just said what you think. That’s really easy. What’s hard is communicating your opinion *effectively* to an audience.
Yours,
WWE Champion John Cena
Beth • Oct 9, 2015 at 2:22 am
Great article!
Chloe Nightingale • Oct 9, 2015 at 4:43 pm
Thank you, Beth!