Getting the facts straight

In the 2011 session of the Indiana General Assembly this year, major pro-life legislation was passed. 

While much of it is controversial, the piece to receive the most press is undoubtedly the provision which bars Planned Parenthood from receiving government money. 

Opponents of the provision warn that without Planned Parenthood, the women of Indiana will no longer have access to affordable birth control, and the number of unplanned pregnancies will sky-rocket.

First things first:  the Indiana law never mentions Planned Parenthood by name.  It doesn't restrict funding from Planned Parenthood specifically, just abortion providers. 

Why is this distinction important?  It's simple;  Planned Parenthood still has the option to receive government funding.  They could cease to provide abortions (which I understand is something they believe strongly in and are unlikely to do), or they could simply separate the two businesses of sexual health services and abortion services. 

Why not choose one of these options?  If abortions really account for such a small percentage of their services—as they claim—then surely they would do whatever was necessary to ensure that they could continue to provide those other, very necessary services of sexual health. 

The second option would still allow them to provide abortions, if that is a major concern.  They claim none of taxpayer's dollars go to pay for abortions—why not separate the two businesses and guarantee it?

Another misconception is that without Planned Parenthood, women with low incomes in Indiana would have no affordable options for birth control. 

First of all, when someone receives Medicaid, they are assigned a primary care provider and can obtain birth control or STD testing that way. 

There are over 800 Medicaid providers, and only 28 Planned Parenthood clinics.  There are also plenty of stores that sell condoms and other contraceptives inexpensively—some for as little as $.25/each. 

As students, you may stop by the ISU Student Health Center—they've been known to give out condoms free of charge. 

Finally, Planned Parenthood isn't the only sexual health clinic that offers inexpensive services. 

There are over 100 clinics throughout Indiana that provide affordable sexual health services. 

The Indiana Family Health Council lists 40 family planning clinics on their website and the Indiana Primary Health Care Association lists over 90 Community Health Centers on their website.  Clearly, women are not without options.

The debate over defunding Planned Parenthood is not about offering sexual health services, as there are clearly plenty of options.  The money no longer used to fund abortion providers could potentially go towards other options for sexual health. 

Don't let anyone fool you with rhetoric about women losing access to health care—it's misinformation. 

The question is, are you okay with your money supporting an organization that profits from scared women and the deaths of their unborn children?