Some Americans object to public funds being used for organizations which provide abortion services. Pro-life groups say this funding is responsible for the murder of countless unborn, contrary to the wishes of many taxpayers. Others disagree, saying direct federal funding for abortions has been outlawed for many years. In 2018, Planned Parenthood (PP) performed at least 335,000 abortions at more than 600 clinics. It received nearly 37%, or about $617 million, of its annual funding from government grants and contracts including Medicaid. Critics say this underscores the need to prohibit federal funding of this organization. Supporters claim Planned Parenthood provides a wide range of reproductive health services aside from abortion, including pregnancy testing and contraceptive services.

A recent annual report showed PP served 2.4 million patients and provided 9.8 million services for them, including sexually transmitted disease treatment for 5 million Americans and cancer screening and prevention services for 500,000 others. It is estimated abortion services comprise between 7% and 12% of the healthcare services PP provides to the public. In some rural areas, the Planned Parenthood clinic is the only affordable reproductive healthcare option for people without insurance. PP claims one in five American women have visited a Planned Parenthood clinic at least once in her life.

Pending Legislation: H.R.330 - Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act
Sponsor: Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC)
Status: House Subcommittee on Health (Energy and Commerce)
Chairperson: Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY)

Tweet