Why should federal funds support Planned Parenthood when other community health centers can provide well-rounded primary care in addition to "family planning" and STI screening services?
Asked by Anonymous
Planned Parenthood is a critical part of the public health infrastructure, and especially during the COVID-19 crisis, we serve patients who need us more than ever. For many Planned Parenthood patients, our health centers are their only source of care –– community health centers can’t close the gap. This is especially true for people who live in rural areas and those who face barriers to service, including people of color and people with low incomes. Planned Parenthood health centers often provide family planning services that other providers simply do not offer, meaning that keeping Planned Parenthood from serving patients would force many people to skip the services they need to stay healthy. Experts at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the National Partnership for Women & Families have said flat-out that other community health centers cannot cover the gap. We rely on federal funding to keep our doors open and continue to provide the critical care that patients rely on.