For almost 100 years, countless women across the United States have found the medical attention they need through Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organization, has consistently provided millions of women with reproductive, maternal and child health services. However, due to recent controversial footage of Planned Parenthood employees discussing the sale of fetal tissue, many anti-abortion conservatives are becoming more fervent in their movement against Planned Parenthood. But the government must continue to fund Planned Parenthood because by providing free contraceptives, Planned Parenthood has been able to prevent thousands of unwanted pregnancies and abortions each year. Additionally, Planned Parenthood has provided a variety of gynecological, health and family planning services, helping those otherwise unable to receive medical assistance in these areas.

One of Planned Parenthood’s greatest aspects is that it provides contraceptives to women all over the country free-of-charge. Readily available contraception to the public is a necessity; this service prevents a total of 516,000 unplanned pregnancies and abortions annually. Therefore, opposition to Planned Parenthood is counterintuitive, as less access to contraception would most likely result in the need for more abortions due to unplanned pregnancy.

“Planned Parenthood is extremely beneficial, as the organization has provided educational abortion clinic services. Alclinics and contraception that girls may not be able to obtain elsewhere,” said senior Kimia Zargari.

Oftentimes, people fail to recognize the importance of the assistance that Planned Parenthood offers to over five million people each year. In addition to its contraceptive services, Planned Parenthood also provides gynecological services, treatment for STDs, STI screenings and many other services at very low costs. Additionally, Planned Parenthood performs breast, colon, prostate and cervical cancer screenings. Some health centers even provide flu vaccines, physical exams and cholesterol checks. These benefits have often been overshadowed by Planned Parenthood’s abortion clinic services. Although abortion is a significant service that Planned Parenthood provides, only three percent of services provided are abortions.

Overall, Planned Parenthood is far too beneficial to society to simply be defunded. The organization has impacted and assisted the lives of countless women who otherwise would not have been able to receive the medical attention they so desperately needed. Additionally, investments in Planned Parenthood saves the government a considerable sum of money, as funding contraception is much less expensive than paying for pregnancy care, childbirth costs and the costs of raising a child. With the continuation of Planned Parenthood, young women everywhere will be able to take the precautions necessary in order to ensure their health and safety.