After learning that the U.S. House of Representatives voted to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood last Friday, I experienced a variety of emotions, from disbelief and disappointment to irritation and sadness. While many people have already written about this issue, I still feel compelled to take a stand, and I hope that you will do the same.
I am astonished and extremely disappointed that the House chose to overlook the plethora of services that Planned Parenthood provides to more than 5 million individuals and then voted to halt support for an organization that also happens to provide abortion services. Some argue that supporting Planned Parenthood equals supporting abortions with federal money; however, the federal funds at stake aren’t used to fund abortions. Instead, the funds help support education, family planning, and critical preventive measures such as screenings to detect breast cancer, cervical cancer, and HIV testing. What is more upsetting to me is the effect that eliminating these funds will have on low-income individuals who could so greatly benefit from this funding.
Did the 240 representatives who voted to defund Planned Parenthood seriously think about the grave effects their decision would have on the individual teens, women, and men that they represent?
While I am disappointed and saddened that the House voted to defund Planned Parenthood, I am hopeful that the Senate will take into consideration how devastating eliminating this funding may be. Also, I am encouraged by and grateful for the U.S. representatives who voiced their support (see video below) for Planned Parenthood and all the valuable services this organization provides.
I took a stand. Now will you help by standing with Planned Parenthood?
This post was written by National Student Advisory Council member Kerry Diekmann.
AAUW Dialog 
It is disappointing that congress voted against fiscal support for women-lower-class or otherwise. It must be nice to be a part of the rich majority (male). If women were in the majority, I believe, we would take care of everyone-rich, poor and in between at least I hope we would:-). What is it going to take for there to truly be equal rights for women in this country?
I am disappointed in the decision to not fund Planned Parenthood. A little money would go a long way and it will cost a lot more in other costs when women’s options are cut.