Taking away the funding of Planned Parenthood doesn’t eradicate the needs of low-income women; it gets rid of an opportunity for a stable health care support system. 

Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that provides advice and resources for family planning, contraception options and any reproductive problems women might have, especially for those who cannot afford health care.

Conservatives in Congress are trying to defund the non-profit group because of controversial videos. The head of Planned Parenthood, Cecile Richards, was ridiculed for five hours Sept. 29 on Capitol Hill. 

Evidence suggests these videos were filmed without the knowledge of this organization and are believed to have undergone extensive editing to create a negative image. No concrete evidence Planned Parenthood sells fetal body parts for profit, but it does use fetal tissue for scientific research, according to a recent LA Times article.

Abortions have been legal since the 1973  Roe vs. Wade case. Planned Parenthood serves as a safe place to perform this medical procedure for women. 

Additionally, Planned Parenthood offers contraceptives, cancer screenings, breast exams, morning-after pill, abortions, STD testing and more. 

Abortions only account for 3 percent of all the services Planned Parenthood provides. In reality, that percent holds no significance in the big picture of the organization.

This non-profit organization actively engages in education and advocacy to protect and advance women’s health and sexual rights. 

Planned Parenthood receives funding in two ways: Medicaid, and Title X, both of which provide support to low-income families. 

Planned Parenthood helps millions of low-income women receive service they would otherwise be unable to afford and continues to serve to anyone who seeks help, including all genders.  

All women deserve free access to health care services and that should not be taken away from them in any regard. Defunding Planned Parenthood takes away an opportunity for a group of women who would otherwise have few opportunities to receive free health care. #IStandWithPP, and so should you.