At the beginning of Trump’s presidency, Trump signed an order to defund any organization that provides abortions in the United States.

Planned Parenthood falls under that umbrella, but Planned Parenthood does much more than just abortions. In Indiana only one Planned Parenthood center provides abortion services. However, people seem to think that is all Planned Parenthood does. Only 3% of the services they provide are abortion. Of the services they provide 42% of the services is for dealing with STIs and STDs, 34% for contraceptives, 11% is for other women’s services, 9% for cancer screening, and 1% for other services.

Also governmental funds are not allowed to go towards abortions, according to Title X. Medicaid funds can go towards abortions only in the case of rape, incest, or to protect the life of the mother as dictated by the Hyde Amendment.

I really think that everyone needs to stop bashing Planned Parenthood and its supporters. Planned Parenthood helps people get birth control, get tested for cancer and STDs, and educates on sex. Even if one does not fully agree with everything Planned Parenthood does, they should not bash it. There are people who need to go to Planned Parenthood for their health, in fact for some people it is their only source of healthcare. Over 80% of Planned Parenthood patients were 20 or older from 2010-2012. Additionally almost 80% had incomes at or below the federal poverty level.

“I think that Planned Parenthood is good for women’s health, and provides services, that are usually inaccessible, to lower income families,” said Lidija Nyman, 11.

Everyone just needs to stop bashing on Planned Parenthood.