By: TK Layman Freelancer
The Planned Parenthood website states that in 1916 Margaret Sanger defied societal expectations by opening a clinic offering contraceptive services to women. In Brooklyn, New York, before women had voting rights, before the ability open their own bank account, a revolutionary idea was started that would be challenged throughout history. Among the first of women’s rights activists to publicly push for change, Sanger started a clinic offering reproductive health and contraceptive services for women.
100 years later, Planned Parenthood now offers many services for both women and men, ranging from contraceptives and sexual and reproductive health services, to hormone therapy.
Planned Parenthood has been the subject of public outcry since its inception in 1916, as well as being in the news in recent years. Protest groups and religiously affiliated groups have pushed for years against the organizations because of public opinion regarding abortion services, funding, and other accusations.
In August of 2016, Huffington Post also reported that Ohio Gov. John Kasich had signed a bill into law, February of that year, defunding the state’s 28 medical centers. The bill would have removed 1.3 million dollars from the organization. US District Judge, Michael Barrett, stated “irreparable injury” would come to the clinics and the community they serve. Barrett also stated that the law was unconstitutional and the law was eventually overturned in May of 2016.
Funding has been a major issue in the fight for Planned Parenthood. In September 2016, the government passed a short-term spending budget that had originally involved restrictions in funding Planned Parenthood, according to the New York Times.
In the face of public disparaging, they have managed to overcome many accusations. Contrary to popular belief, Planned Parenthood reports on their website that only three percent of their patients receive abortion services. Over 80 percent of services revolve around pregnancy prevention and contraceptive services. Planned Parenthood, on average, assists families in preventing approximately 579,000 unintended pregnancies a year.
Other services offered at the 650 clinics throughout the United States include STD/I testing, men’s and women’s sexual health, OB/GYN services, Pap tests, mammograms and LGBTQ+ services. Oregon has 12 locations, the closest to Western being in Salem and Portland. Both locations offer STD/I testing, HIV screening, pregnancy services, as well as men and women’s sexual health. The northeast Portland location additionally offers hormone services for transgender patients.
Throughout history, Planned Parenthood has been challenged as an organization. By offering many locations throughout the United States, as well as reduced costs for low income clients, Planned Parenthood continues to be a driving force in providing care for all.
Contact the author at tlayman16@wou.edu
