Relationships January 13, 2017
“Black-ish” star Tracee Ellis Ross may have just won best comedy actress at the Golden Globes but she sees nothing funny in the push by Republican congressional leaders to defund Planned Parenthood.
The daughter of singing icon Diana Ross has spoken passionately about her support for the organization, telling Entertainment Tonight it is “needed, important and [does] wonderful work.”
She added, “I believe that every woman, and everyone, should have access to health care that keeps them safe. There should be a place where they feel safe enough to ask the questions that they have.”
For many women, Planned Parenthood is more than just an abortion clinic. It’s a place of health education, treatment and empowerment. Unfortunately, however, these services get drowned out by arguments between pro-life and pro-choice groups.
But for those of you who aren’t aware of what else Planned Parenthood offers, here are five ways both men and women can benefit from the organization.
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Planned Parenthood is a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health education. Currently, they work with 275 campuses to educate people about how to stay healthy and proactive about their bodies.
Outside of the U.S., Planned Parenthood also strives to make the next generation the “healthiest generation ever.” They partner with international advocates and medical service providers in 13 countries across Latin America and Africa. Together, they provide access to contraceptives, treatment and education.
People look at Planned Parenthood & immediately think of abortion when in reality they offer so much more. #istandwithplannedparenthood pic.twitter.com/XwoCgNjbcH
— bluejeanbaby (@funkym_) January 6, 2017
Not only that, but Planned Parenthood Action Fund Political Action Committee engages with legislative and electoral advocacy, voter education and grassroots organizations. The organization uses its platform to engage former patients, current supporters and national activists to fight for health care access, sexual education and protect women’s rights to their bodies.
And online, the Planned Parenthood Action Network gives users access to updates about current issues, inviting them to get involved with protecting women’s health.
Seven percent of Planned Parenthood patients seek cancer screening and prevention, according to the annual reports available on their website. The organization provides 360,000 breast exams and 270,000 pap tests each year, which are both critical in detecting cancer.
In addition to testing, Planned Parenthood staff also teaches patients about breast care and self-examination, which allows women to take control of their well-being. And if need be, the group connects patients with other resources to get biopsies, ultrasounds and mammograms.
Thank you Planned Parenthood for discovering that I had cervical cancer when I was 19 so I could have surgery and be cancer free at 45.
— Crippled Jerk (@bedheadred13) January 6, 2017
There are also a number of services available for male patients. Men can go to Planned Parenthood to get screened for colon, prostate and testicular cancer. They can also get routine physical exams, checked for infertility and treated for urinary tract infections and erectile dysfunction.
“People should continue to get screened that they need to for pap smears and mammograms,” said Ross. “Not everybody has access to that health care and Planned Parenthood is one of the places where women especially are supported in that way and I will do everything in my power to continue to support them as an organization.
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For starters, they provide sexual health care for transgender men and women. They also provide access to transgender hormone services. Although hormone therapy is currently only available in four locations, Planned Parenthood is committed to improving the way transgender folk receive health care by eliminating any stigma and financial barriers.
They’re also very active advocators of the LGBTQ community. Planned Parenthood seeks to educate people about gender identity and sexual orientation. Online, they have a section dedicated to answering some of the basic questions people may have about being LGBTQ. And in their facilities, their goal is to provide safe, inclusive health care for everyone.
I can’t believe defunding planned parenthood is even something we’re considering…. I don’t know ANY woman who hasn’t benefited from PP
— Robyn (@lilmsragerr) January 13, 2017
As National Public Radio verifies, “an overwhelming majority of Planned Parenthood’s services involve screening for and treating sexually transmitted diseases and infections.” According to the annual reports, 45 percent of their yearly patients seek treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. Planned Parenthood tests for a number of STDs, including human papilloma virus (HPV), HIV and AIDS, pelvic inflammatory disease and syphilis. And if you qualify, you may even get these tests for free.
Not only that, but for California, Minnesota, Washington and Idaho residents, Planned Parenthood delivers at-home STD test kits by mail, which test for chlamydia and gonorrhea. This way, patients are given a more convenient and more private option to keep track of their health.
READ MORE: Obama Administration Moves to Protect Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood makes health care affordable to 2.5 million people a year and 75 percent of them have incomes that are at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.
Planned Parenthood mostly helps low-income people. Four out of five of those who benefit are at or below 150% of the poverty line.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 9, 2017
And for many women, they go to Planned Parenthood to have access to more affordable birth control, which could cost up to $50 a month without insurance. With Planned Parenthood, men and women can discuss their options with a medical professional and whether or not they are eligible to receive preventative treatment for free.
They also provide 1.2 million pregnancy tests a year and 930,00 emergency contraception kits. Compare these numbers to the 324,000 abortions that are performed each year.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOES MORE THAN ABORTIONS.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOES MORE THAN ABORTIONS.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD DOES MORE THAN ABORTIONS.— sierra oliveira (@oliveira_sierra) January 6, 2017
So should they defund Planned Parenthood? ENTITY’s short answer would be:
