The Future of Planned Parenthood

Pro-life vs. pro-choice is a fight that  — some would argue — has divided our country for decades. The 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling stands at the center of tensions after it was ruled that the constitutional right to privacy included freedom to make one’s own medical decisions: the choice to have an abortion fell under that category.

Politicians, medical experts and advocates on both sides of the issue have been participating in a constant battle of tug-of-war, simultaneously fighting to uphold Roe v. Wade and overturn it. A nonprofit organization that has become synonymous with that battle is Planned Parenthood, which is at the center of the debate.

“The pro-life movement has pretty much tried to throw abortion and Roe onto Planned Parenthood,” said Maddie Newingham, president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Kent State. “So by attacking Planned Parenthood, they think that’s a good way to overturn Roe v. Wade, which doesn’t make any sense because it’s a Supreme Court ruling so you would have to go through the Supreme Court… .”

Those in favor of Planned Parenthood, like Newingham, argue that there is a bigger picture that must be taken into account when considering defunding the nonprofit. Other than the 3 percent of services that provide abortion referrals, it offers breast and cervical cancer screenings, STD testing and sex education.

“By defunding Planned Parenthood, you’re not only getting rid of safe abortion access, you’re getting rid of women’s health care coverage for lower-income women,” said Hayley Curry, communications director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Kent State. “You should be able to care about other people and have empathy for other people that don’t have the money to be able to go to the doctor anytime they want to.”

President Donald Trump has already taken steps towards backing the pro-life movement, which is funded by Title X and Medicaid reimbursements for preventive care, according to Planned Parenthood Action. On Jan. 23, the president signed an executive order that barred federal funds from reaching organizations that promote abortions internationally; this included the International Planned Parenthood Federation. On Jan. 31, the president nominated Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, a judge who has shown conservative leanings in regards to abortions and women’s health.

In the 2016 election, Ohio turned red for President Trump, who had previously stated his pro-life agenda in February 2016. In a CNN interview, the president attempted to explain his beliefs.

“As far as Planned Parenthood is concerned, I’m pro-life. I’m totally against abortion, having to do with Planned Parenthood. But millions and millions of women — cervical cancer, breast cancer — are helped by Planned Parenthood,” he said.

Under Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, there are 20 health centers located across the state and two abortion centers. National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) Pro-choice Ohio has two locations in the state: Columbus and Cleveland. But despite the presence of pro-choice organizations, Ohio lawmakers are still fighting for legislation that would prevent abortions and services provided by Planned Parenthood.

According to a document published by NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, Governor John Kasich “has signed 18 different anti-abortion provisions, eight of which were snuck into various budget bills. These restrictions included defunding Planned Parenthood twice.”

There are currently eight bills in legislation that contribute to restrictions of abortions in the state of Ohio. In particular, House Bill 79 targets low-income women who typically make use of services like Planned Parenthood. The bill only allows women who are employed by the state or rely on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to use their insurance for abortion if they are raped, pregnant as a result of incest or experiencing a life threatening medical condition.

“We should have people in power our government that care about all of their citizens… no matter what their background is,” Curry said. “Not people who care about themselves… I think that’s wrong not to care about their constituents and all citizens of society.”

Newingham, who has been an intern at Planned Parenthood since spring 2016, has had her own personal experiences with the health care provider. During her freshman year at Kent State, Newingham went to Planned Parenthood to get birth control, even though she wasn’t sexually active. She wanted to take the necessary precautions in order to protect herself. However, she was forced to visit the health care center again.

“I actually went back to get tested for HIV because I was sexually assaulted on campus, and I didn’t really know what to do, and I was so lost,” she said. “And I didn’t want to tell my parents. (Planned Parenthood) tested me and everything came back fine.”

Because of her experience, Newingham is able to sympathise with people who depend on the organization for their health care needs. And despite the current pro-life climate of the U.S. state and national government, optimism is key on the other side of the fight. Newingham will continue to advocate for the organization that helped her when she needed it the most.

“I’m really proud of the fact that I was able to go to Planned Parenthood and feel safe and comfortable,” she said. “I’m here to advocate for people… If anyone can benefit from my story they should hear it.”