Dear Ms./Mr. President,

Planned Parenthood should not be defunded because it provides equal opportunities for all incomes, all genders, and moral beliefs. President Obama recently vetoed a bill to get Planned Parenthood defunded- it needs to stay that way. In fact, we need laws protecting Planned Parenthood and have it returned in the ten states that have defunded it already. If it weren't for Planned Parenthood, many individuals would not get the help they need. Planned Parenthood helps many people in need who do not have insurance or the money they need to get the service. At Planned Parenthood clinics, if you do not have health insurance, they can offer you services based on their discount fee scale. Seventy-nine percent of Planned Parenthood’s patients have incomes at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty line. For example, I have family that does not have health insurance and my family also has a background of breast cancer. Because they didn’t have insurance at the time, they couldn’t afford to go to a typical healthcare provider, but they needed to be tested. They went to a Planned Parenthood to get screenings and were guided to other resources that were able to assist in dealing with the situation. The continued follow up on the care they received to ensure patient care resulted in it being a positive experience. Because she could afford to go to Planned Parenthood, they caught the cancer early and she is now living cancer free. If Planned Parenthood is defunded, many families and people will not be able to afford the help they need, when they need it.

Two common misconceptions of Planned Parenthood is that they only provide abortions and only have services for women. Both are untrue. Planned Parenthood provides services for all genders and has more services than just abortion including STD testing, contraception, and cancer screening and prevention. In fact, only 3% of Planned Parenthood services are abortion. The other services provided are STI/STD testing (41%), contraception (34%), women’s health services (11%), and cancer screening and prevention (10%). All of these services are also provided by your typical health care provider. The difference between Planned Parenthood and your normal provider is that Planned Parenthood has up-to-date and credible resources on sensitive topics like contraception, body image, gender/sexuality, and men's sexual health. Another pro about this is that it is publicly accessible to anyone. With these two benefits in mind, we should keep Planned Parenthood at the forefront of health services that are available and affordable to everyone. Many people are against abortion due to their personal or religious beliefs, but abortion is not the only service provided. Even if you don’t believe in abortion, it only takes up 3% of Planned Parenthood’s services and profits. Those people who do not believe in it could take advantage of the other services provided also.

Overall, Planned Parenthood should not be defunded because it provides services and equal opportunities for all genders, income status’, and moral beliefs. Planned Parenthood provides STI/STD, cancer screening/prevention, abortion, women's health services, and contraception. Even if you don’t believe in abortion, it only makes up 3% of Planned Parenthood’s services. Planned Parenthood also provides discounts and services to people who do not have health insurance or cannot afford services they need. Planned Parenthood should not be defunded. Ms./Mr. President- please do not take this facility away from people in need.

Sincerely,

Avery Quinton