In recent years, Planned Parenthood has grown to be associated with the practices of abortion and contraception, and therefore has acquired a negative connotation, especially in the Catholic Church. However, Planned Parenthood is more than abortion and contraception and offers a variety of health services for men and women alike.

According to their website, “Planned Parenthood was founded on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — no ceilings, no limits.”

This organization should continue to be government funded because it provides basic medical screenings, education on a variety of topics including STDs, sex and sexuality, gender, relationships, and body image, and offers counseling services for women and even men.

By focusing on the sexual aspects of Planned Parenthood, many people lose sight of the fact that they are helping men and women in need with more than their sexual health. Even though Planned Parenthood supports views that some people disagree with, it is still an important organization in the field of health care.

One important way that Planned Parenthood is beneficial is that they provide basic testing that one would get at a regular doctor’s office for people without healthcare. For example, according to their website, they offer tests for anemia, high cholesterol, diabetes, and thyroid disorders. They also can give physical exams that are required for sports or employment and give expecting mothers prenatal care. They even perform vasectomy and female sterilization procedures.

An integral part of medicine is the ability of the medical community to educate the masses about their bodies and how to protect them. According to cnn.com, Planned Parenthood provides sex education to 1.5 million young people and adults each year. By teaching people about sexual health, especially at a young age, the spread of STDs and accidental pregnancies can be avoided, which is why these education services are important.
Aside from STDs, Planned Parenthood also provides education services on several other important aspects in people’s lives, such as sexuality, gender, relationships, and body image.

Another aspect of Planned Parenthood is counseling services. They offer counseling regarding pregnancy options and post-abortion counseling services that are available to women at a discounted price. These services are important because they give women the necessary mental health care that they need and can help a woman make the right choice under her circumstances in regards to her pregnancy.

Although abortion and contraception are against Church teaching, there are other free health services offered to patrons of Planned Parenthood. According to cnn.com, abortion only makes up 3 percent of the services Planned Parenthood provides, so putting such a focus on those services is a misrepresentation of the organization.

When put into perspective, 3 percent is such small percentage of the many services provided, and many Planned Parenthood clinics don’t even perform these abortion procedures on site, instead giving their patients referrals to other clinics. So overall, when you look at all that Planned Parenthood has done to help women and men, it is a shame that it is overlooked because of abortion and contraception.

Furthermore, Planned Parenthood should continue to be government funded because it provides many services and help men and women get the medical care that they need.

Elizabeth Harmison is a News Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.