What Planned Parenthood truly is

Since 2017, the Trump administration has been actively trying to dismember Planned Parenthood and strip away many women’s and men’s only access to affordable reproductive health care. Their efforts have primarily included the defunding of the nonprofit organization.

Enough is enough.

The fact that a health care organization is being questioned on its services because of political beliefs surrounding it is foolish. According to their most recent website updates, Planned Parenthood serves more than 2.4 million men and women each year and therefore should be treated as the health care provider they are, not as a political pawn. Abortion and contraceptive access stir the most controversy among Planned Parenthood’s many ranging services, yet they provide the same reproductive health care that many hospitals and private clinics do, and you do not see those institutions being attacked.

This year, Planned Parenthood stated they provided over four million STI test/treatments, two million birth control services, and half a million breast exams and pap tests. To take away this care from the millions of people who rely on these services is the equivalent of taking away the basic health care rights of a human being.

It’s time to set your political beliefs aside, and support Planned Parenthood for what it truly is, as stated by themselves: a “trusted health care provider and an informed educator,” who protect the reproductive needs of millions. Donate, volunteer, protest and vote to keep this organization safe, as well as its patients.

Kiana Vandaele

Spokane