Planned Parenthood offers reproductive health care services to women AND men.
It is an invaluable reproductive health resource for all.
Services include:
- Treatment for chronic diseases.
- Screening for STI’s and HIV. Did you know that half of all new STI diagnosis’ are found in young people age 15-24?
- Screening for cancer.
- Prevention services such as education, birth control, and testing.
- Family practices services, because for many clients Planned Parenthood is the only medical care option available to them.
- Contraception services.
- Prenatal care.
- Education, education, education.
- Medical care for males, too!
“Planned Parenthood is the most trusted women’s health care provider in the country. In 2013, Planned Parenthood health centers across the country provided 10.6 million services to their patients.”
Planned Parenthood offers a safe, compassionate environment for those seeking reproductive health care.
I remember……
When I was a young nursing student about thirty years ago, I volunteered as a birth control educator at Planned Parenthood in a small college town in Illinois. There was an endless stream of young women pouring in to the facility to access affordable and effective contraception. They charged patients using a sliding scale method – no one was denied care based on ability to pay. Just think about this: How many unintended pregnancies, abortions, and dashed dreams were averted because of the contraceptive and reproductive health counseling/education services offered by Planned Parenthood?
One day a young, but obviously wise, twelve-year-old walked in to request assistance in obtaining birth control. Even at my young age of 20 I was surprised that someone so young needed such services. It was not my job to counsel – that was the next step in the process of obtaining contraception – but I felt so incredibly grateful that Planned Parenthood offered a safe place for this young lady to receive care.
A couple of years later I found myself working in the maternity unit of a local hospital. A very sweet twenty-year-old woman arrived to the unit to deliver her fifth child. My heart went out to her as well. If only…….
It troubles me that thirty years have passed since I volunteered at PP, and women and men now have to fight the battle to have access to reproductive health care that is affordable, comprehensive, and life-saving. I am aware of the controversy currently surrounding Planned Parenthood. As I always educate in my writings, consider the sources of information. Being the educated audience I know you are, researching facts on all sides of the issue will allow you to come to your own conclusion.
Having comprehensive facilities such as Planned Parenthood available to those who do not have access to more “mainstream” medical care is invaluable to not only the health of the individual, but for society as well.
Comprehensive sex education (CSE) is crucial. Planned Parenthood is one of the great resources and medical facilities available to those who need, want, and deserve it.
