The Political Battle over Family Planning Services
The Family Planning debate is a popular and recent hot button political issue within the US. As of right now, the federal grant program Title X is in effect, ensuring that low-income and uninsured patients receive family planning and reproductive health services, usually in places such as Planned Parenthood clinics. Generally, the more conservative viewpoint tends to disagree with Title X, stating that it is unnecessary and that its funding allows for abortion to be a more easily accessed medical procedure. On the other hand of this argument, liberals believe that Title X and the clinics it has funded have provided a means of necessary health care for those who need it but cannot afford it.
This article discusses the political climate surrounding the issue of women's reproductive rights, particularly abortion.
Moral & Ethical Pros/Cons to the Family Planning Debate
Issues that concern other people's bodies are never just black and white. If you're interested in seeing others' takes on the issue, this chat debate provides insight into both sides.
Issues that concern other people's bodies are never just black and white. If you're interested in seeing others' takes on the issue, this chat debate provides insight into both sides.
Title X Family Planning
The Title X Family Planning was enacted in 1970 and is a Federal grant program aimed at providing affordable family planning/preventative health services. It offers FDA-approved contraceptive methods and related counseling, breast and cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy testing and counseling, screening and treatment for STIs, HIV testing, and patient education referrals. The X Family Planning is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Population Affairs and funds nearly 4,400 family planning facilities including state, county, and local health departments, as well as community health centers, planned parenthood centers, and non-profit organizations such as hospitals and schools. To accommodate to every individual's needs, the staff of Title X Family Planning as specially trained for anything from language barriers, to abuse.
For further political disputes concerning family planning rights click here:
The Title X Family Planning was enacted in 1970 and is a Federal grant program aimed at providing affordable family planning/preventative health services. It offers FDA-approved contraceptive methods and related counseling, breast and cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy testing and counseling, screening and treatment for STIs, HIV testing, and patient education referrals. The X Family Planning is overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Population Affairs and funds nearly 4,400 family planning facilities including state, county, and local health departments, as well as community health centers, planned parenthood centers, and non-profit organizations such as hospitals and schools. To accommodate to every individual's needs, the staff of Title X Family Planning as specially trained for anything from language barriers, to abuse.
- 2011 Stats
- Centers serve approx. five million clients: 92% women, 8% menAvert estimated 1 million unintended pregnancies yearly
- 2.5 million clients test for chlamydia, 2.7 million for gonorrhea, 750,000 for syphilis
- Approx. 1.3 million HIV tests
- More than 1.5 million cervical cancer screenings: 15% of these screenings found precancerous/cancerous conditions needing further evaluation
- 91% of clients had incomes at/below 250% of federal poverty level
- Clients 57% white, 20% black, 3% Asian, 1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander or American Indian/Alaska Native, 5% multiracial
- Age 51% in their twenties, 28% 30 or over, 21% 19 and under History
For further political disputes concerning family planning rights click here:
- Tony Perkins, President of the conservative Family Research Council feels that funding should not be increased for TItle X family planning, as the Planned Parenthood Federation of America would receive funds that would free up their budget in support of abortion services. In regards to his concern over public funding for contraception for unmarried couples, Perkins was quoted as saying, “The issue is whether taxpayers should fund, and thereby encourage, behavior that's risky and morally questionable." Conversely, Democrat Diana DeGette of Colorado believes that [right-wing Republicans] attack commonsense policies that not only save taxpayers money, but also promote public health."
- Adam Sonfield, a Guttmacher policy expert, believes that family planning "should be noncontroversial. In this economic climate, it's so important in terms of ability to get an education, to stay in the work force."
In Vitro Fertilization
Jennifer Palumbo speaks for many infertile women when she says, "Infertility is a real medical issue just like any other medical issue that is covered by insurance." Read her article to find out what others feel about the topic of IVF, which many are hoping Congress will soon advocate more funding for to make childbearing an option for those who want it.
Jennifer Palumbo speaks for many infertile women when she says, "Infertility is a real medical issue just like any other medical issue that is covered by insurance." Read her article to find out what others feel about the topic of IVF, which many are hoping Congress will soon advocate more funding for to make childbearing an option for those who want it.
Abortion
This article explains how certain conservative states are passing bills and changing regulations for clinics, making it more and more difficult for women to receive affordable reproductive health services when needed. In this Colbert Report clip, Todd Akin's opinion on rape and abortion is discussed.
This article explains how certain conservative states are passing bills and changing regulations for clinics, making it more and more difficult for women to receive affordable reproductive health services when needed. In this Colbert Report clip, Todd Akin's opinion on rape and abortion is discussed.
To view a debate concerning women's health click here:
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