Monday, March 27, 2006

Planned Parenthood

I think it is important to point out that about 90% of what Planned Parenthood does has nothing to do with abortion. They offer services that range from mammograms, pap tests, HIV tests, screening and treatment for STDs, infertility screening and counseling, mental health services, prenatal care, reduced cost birth control, and testicular cancer testing for men.

As their funding continues to be cut by the law recently passed in South Dakota (with no referendum, mind you,) and with similar legislation pending in Mississippi, Utah, Alabama, and other states, many people will suffer and birth rates will rise as women and men will not have access to birth control. The impact of these laws could be immeasurable as fatality rates of cervical and testicular cancer could rise since Planned Parenthood is the only affordable healthcare that some Americans can afford.

And lest you think that those of us in Texas won't be affected, think again.

2 comments:

dangermama said...

ummm.... there are other places besides Planned Parenthood, at least in this part of MS, that people of low income (or any income really) can get birth control and the like... not sure about the testicular cancer testing though (never needed that)

*just for the record, I do think Planned Parenthood does alot of great things

SerenitySprings said...

My main concern is that women in rural areas will not be able to receive birth control and other services without a tremendous amount of effort. They might have to drive for several hours in order to receive the care they seek and that's just impractical.