Supporting Planned Parenthood
Extra Voices is The Frederick Extra's opinion page.
Planned Parenthood serves over 2.5 million women and men in the U.S. An estimated one in five women has visited Planned Parenthood at least once in her lifetime. The number of men seeking services nearly doubled between 2003 and 2013.
In many medically under-served communities, Planned Parenthood is the only source for health care. It provides gynecological exams, breast cancer screenings, contraceptives, pre-conception counseling, crucial reproductive education, and testing for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Abortion comprises three percent of all services provided by Planned Parenthood nationally.
Many residents in Western Maryland experience an alarming lack of access to the vital health care services provided by Planned Parenthood. There are currently 10 Planned Parenthood locations in Maryland. The western-most clinic is located in Frederick. This means that residents in Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties must travel to Frederick to access their services.
Furthermore, only a handful of federally qualified health clinics are available to serve these areas. Planned Parenthood addresses a critical need in our region, yet it is under severe attack.
Planned Parenthood receives 43 percent of its funding from government grants and reimbursements. Due to recent activity in Congress these funds are in jeopardy. It does not take much to realize the devastating ripple effect on our community when health centers close: unintended pregnancies increase; cancers go undetected; STI’s remain untreated,; and healthcare costs skyrocket.
The members of Our Revolution of Western Maryland support Planned Parenthood, and urge you to join us in protecting its vital services.
Deborah Barron
Claire Garner
Mary Graham
Valerie Hartman
Cecilia Morgan
Kristen Robinson
Ashley Slade
Liz Thompson
Ann Wellborn
For more information about Planned Parenthood, please visit: https://www.plannedparenthood.org
For more information about Our Revolution – Western Maryland, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/480965622089194/
