Many legislatures across the country have recently been pushing for the de-funding of Planned Parenthood based on the organization’s support of contraceptives.
In Louisiana, two measures were recently passed that put Planned Parenthood operations in Louisiana under scrutiny by state and local officials. The measures asked that all grants to the organization be suspended. However, cutting funding to Planned Parenthood will hurt many people and cost the state more money in the long run.
Louisiana is not alone. Thousands of protestors gathered last week at the Texas State Capital to protest a bill that would place strict restrictions on abortions within the state.
In response, several celebrities — including actress Connie Britton and singer Natalie Maines — have joined Planned Parenthood to rally against the bill, according to ABC News.
Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and has worked for more than 100 years to improve women’s health, prevent unintended pregnancies and advance the right and ability of families to make informed and responsible choices.
According to Planned Parenthood’s 2012 annual report, 41 percent of their budget is allotted to STI/STD testing and treatment. Thirty-two percent is dedicated to providing affordable contraceptives, and 12 percent of the budget is allotted to cancer screening and prevention for men and women. They perform gynecological exams, breast exams, colon, prostate and testicular cancer screenings at an affordable price.
In addition, Planned Parenthood performs general health screenings including anemia testing; cholesterol, high blood pressure, thyroid and diabetes screenings; physical exams; and flu and tetanus vaccines.
Access to contraceptives and screenings can be lifesaving for women and men who are unable to afford expensive treatments.
Fiscal Republicans should support the funding of Planned Parenthood. Because the organization offers cost-effective care in comparison to other government-funded providers, cutting Planned Parenthood’s funding will likely cost taxpayers more money in the short and long run. Each dollar spent on contraception saves taxpayers multiple dollars down the line.
According to a 2008 study by the Guttmacher Institute, every dollar spent on contraceptive measures saves taxpayers $3.74 in government spending on prenatal care, childbirth and the first year of an infant’s health care.
If Planned Parenthood funding is cut, is unable provide cheap screenings for cancer or STI/STD and forces taxpayers to foot the emergency room bill for gynecological conditions, Louisiana — which is heavily reliant on the services provided by Planned Parenthood — may suffer.
“Planned Parenthood can help reduce the 58 percent of unintended pregnancies in Louisiana with family-planning services,” said New Orleans pediatrician Julie Finger in an interview with the Advocate.
Contraception is used to delay childbearing and can translate into massive savings over a lifetime for the individual as well as the taxpayer. True fiscal conservatism would mean choosing the cheaper option of paying for Planned Parenthood now and avoiding a larger deficit down the road.
Elizabeth Garcia is a 21-year-old mass communication junior from Greensboro, N.C.