Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), usually referred to as Planned Parenthood, is a non-profit organization that provides sexual and reproductive health care, education, information, and maternal and child health services in the United States. Planned Parenthood is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

Planned Parenthood has 59 independent local affiliates that operate approximately 700 health centers throughout the United States.

According to the Planned Parenthood at a Glance page on the Planned Parenthood website:

  • Planned Parenthood health centers focus on prevention: 80 percent of our clients receive services to prevent unintended pregnancy.
  • Planned Parenthood services help prevent approximately 516,000 unintended pregnancies each year.
  • Planned Parenthood provides nearly 400,000 Pap tests and nearly 500,000 breast exams each year, critical services in detecting cancer.
  • Planned Parenthood provides nearly 4.5 million tests and treatments for sexually transmitted infections, including 700,00 HIV tests.
  • Three percent of all Planned Parenthood health services are abortion services.
  • Planned Parenthood affiliates provide educational programs and outreach to 1.5 million young people and adults each year.
  • Planned Parenthood has eight million activists, supporters, and donors working for women's health and safety and our fundamental reproductive rights.

Source:

"Planned Parenthood". Planned Parenthood. Retrieved 2015-08-09.

"Planned Parenthood". Wikipedia. Retrieved 2015-08-09.

Sep 14, 2023:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4204571-planned-parenthood-to-resume-providing-abortions-in-wisconsin

Apr 5, 2023:

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3936717-aclu-planned-parenthood-sue-idaho-ag-over-out-of-state-abortion-referral-ban

Oct 20, 2022:

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/3697057-former-employee-accuses-planned-parenthood-of-racism

Aug 17, 2022:

https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/planned-parenthood-plans-spend-50-million-midterm-elections-rcna43525

Jun 26, 2022:

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3537198-aclu-planned-parenthood-of-utah-sue-in-attempt-to-block-states-abortion-trigger-law

Feb 4, 2021:

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/537467-judge-blocks-texass-efforts-to-remove-planned-parenthood-from

Feb 3, 2021:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/537225-planned-parenthood-files-emergency-lawsuit-to-stay-in-texas-medicaid

Oct 14, 2020:

Oct 13, 2020:

Sep 9, 2019:

Aug 19, 2019:

Aug 16, 2019:

Aug 14, 2019:

Jul 17, 2019:

Jul 16, 2019:

Mar 12, 2019:

Mar 5, 2019:

Feb 22, 2019:

Dec 10, 2018:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-plannedparenthood-idUSKBN1O91PN
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/420535-supreme-court-wont-hear-cases-challenging-whether-residents-can-sue-states-denying-planned-parenthood

Aug 30, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/404195-trump-administration-shortens-family-planning-grants-to-planned-parenthood

May 29, 2018:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/29/politics/supreme-court-arkansas-abortion-order/index.html

May 18, 2018:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/05/18/612445385/what-does-trumps-proposal-to-cut-planned-parenthood-funds-mean

Apr 21, 2018:

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/384298-planned-parenthood-president-calls-trump-admin-the-worst-for

Feb 27, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/375852-pence-says-abortion-will-end-in-us-in-our-time

Jan 19, 2018:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/369723-trump-administration-rescinds-guidance-protecting-planned-parenthoods

Dec 21, 2017:

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/366039-planned-parenthood-asks-supreme-court-to-hear-case-on-abortion-restrictions

Apr 13, 2017:

Trump signed the legislation passed in the U.S. Senate on March 30 which cancels the rule enacted by the Obama administration on January 18 regarding Title X funding.

Mar 30, 2017:

In the U.S. Senate, Vice-President Pence cast a tie-breaking vote to pass legislation which targets Title X money, allowing states to withhold funds from Planned Parenthood and other health care providers that offer abortions.

Mar 28, 2017:

In California, David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt were charged with 15 felony counts for violating the privacy of Planned Parenthood by recording confidential information without Planned Parenthood's consent.

Jan 31, 2017:

Bills were introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate to cancel the Title X rule enacted late last year under the Obama administration.

Another bill entitled "S.241 - Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act" was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Joni Ernst (Republican-Iowa) which would completely defund Planned Parenthood, its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics.

Dec 14, 2016:

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized the rule it proposed in September regarding Title X money.

Sep 9, 2016:

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed a rule that may have a direct impact on funding for Planned Parenthood. The rule states that state governments can withhold Title X money only on a provider’s ability to perform family planning services effectively. In other words, states can't withhold money solely because a provider (like Planned Parenthood) provides abortion services.

This proposed rule will be open for public comment for 30 days, after which HHS will make a decision on issuing a final rule.

May 24, 2016:

Last Friday, attorneys for Samantha Wagner and Ashley Stewart (both victims of the shooting that took place at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado on November 27, 2015) filed a lawsuit against Planned Parenthood. The lawsuit claims that Planned Parenthood should have done more to prevent the "forseeable" shooting and that Planned Parenthood is partly responsible for the resulting injuries.

Feb 21, 2016:

Ohio Governor and GOP presidential candidate John Kasich signed a bill defunding Planned Parenthood in the state of Ohio.

Jan 27, 2016:

Planned Parenthood commissioned an analysis of the fetal tissue videos and forwarded the results to congressional leaders. The analysis showed the videos are "manipulated" and not reliable for an official congressional inquiry.

NPR's The Diane Rehm Show aired a one-hour program entitled "A Grand Jury Indicts Two Abortion Opponents Who Made Undercover Videos Of Planned Parenthood".

Diane's guests were:

  • Julie Rovner, senior correspondent at Kaiser Health News, author of Health Care Policy and Politics A-Z
  • Deborah Nelson, associate professor of investigative journalism in the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland
  • Sharon Finegan, professor of law at the South Texas College of Law
  • Mallory Quigley, communications director for The Susan B. Anthony List Family
  • Gloria Totteny, founder and president of the Public Leadership Institute

Jan 26, 2016:

After more than two months of review of fetal tissue videos and Planned Parenthood, a Harris County grand jury in Texas took no action against Planned Parenthood. The grand jury decision is the result of a probe launched last year by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

The same grand jury indicted David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt (an employee of The Center for Medical Progress) for tampering with a governmental record, a felony. Daleiden was also charged with violating a prohibition on the purchase and sale of human organs, a misdemeanor.

Jan 14, 2016:

Planned Parenthood filed a civil lawsuit in San Francisco, California accusing The Center for Medical Progress and a company called Biomax of violating the "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act" and committing fraud, invasion of privacy, and illegal secret recording and trespassing. David Daleiden (the founder of The Center for Medical Progress), Troy Newman (board member of The Center for Medical Progress) and four other activists are defendants in the lawsuit.

Dec 9, 2015:

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, Robert Dear was officially charged with 179 criminal counts, including first-degree murder in the deaths of three people and multiple counts of attempted murder and assault.

At the start of his hearing Dear had an outburst, declaring himself guilty and a "warrior for the babies".

Nov 30, 2015:

Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards was interviewed by host Steve Inskseep on NPR's Morning Edition. Here are the highlights of what Richards said during the interview:

... we're concerned, as I think is the rest of America, about the increased, sort of hateful rhetoric and harassment and intimidation of those doctors and women who are both providing health care and getting health care in America. It's really un-American. It's been hard to see the kind of dehumanization of both healthcare providers, and of course women who are simply looking for healthcare.

I think it's important to recognize that words matter, and when you use this kind of hateful rhetoric, whether you're a politician, or whether you're in elected office, or whether you're an opposition group, this kind of rhetoric towards doctors and women seeking healthcare has real impact. And I think folks should think carefully about what they say, and how they treat women, and women's ability to access care in America. It's alarming to see this kind of rhetoric and these kinds of smear campaigns against abortion providers and patients continue.

I think where you see the most heated rhetoric is in, frankly, this presidential primary where folks are willing to say anything it seems to get ahead in their political ambitions. The real danger in this country to me is when people put politics ahead of women's healthcare. It's horrifying to see, and I can't believe we're seeing it even this week as really we should be, to me, thinking about the families of the people who were killed and injured and how we can stop this kind of violence in America.

Listen to the entire five-minute interview here.

Robert L. Dear Jr., the accused gunman from the November 27 shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic, appeared in court. He is charged with first degree murder.

Nov 27, 2015:

In Colorado Springs, Colorado, a gunman entered a Planned Parenthood clinic and began shooting. After a five-hour standoff, police were able to apprehend the suspect. At least one police officer and two other people were killed. At least four other police officers and five other people were injured.

Oct 19, 2015:

The state of Texas announced it would cutoff funding for Planned Parenthood.

In a press release entitled "Texas Eliminates Taxpayer Funding To Planned Parenthood Providers" Texas Governor Greg Abbott said:

"The gruesome harvesting of baby body parts by Planned Parenthood will not be allowed in Texas and the barbaric practice must be brought to an end. As such, ending the Medicaid participation of Planned Parenthood affiliates in the State of Texas is another step in providing greater access to safe healthcare for women while protecting our most vulnerable – the unborn."

Oct 13, 2015:

Planned Parenthood announced it will no longer accept any reimbursement for fetal tissue donation, even though reimbursement for reasonable expenses is permitted by a 1993 law.

In a letter to Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards stated:

I want to be completely clear about two things. First, Planned Parenthood's policies on fetal tissue donation already exceed the legal requirements. Now we're going even further in order to take away any basis for attacking Planned Parenthood to advance an anti-abortion political agenda. And, second, our decision not to take any reimbursement for expenses should not be interpreted as a suggestion that anyone else should not take reimbursement or that the law in this area isn't strong. Our decision is first and foremost about preserving the ability of our patients to donate tissue, and to expose our opponents' false charges about this limited but important work.

Sep 29, 2015:

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, testified for over 5 hours before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Capital Hill in Washington, D.C.

Sep 11, 2015:

Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson for stating he would block all state Medicaid dollars to Planned Parenthood patients.

Sep 1, 2015:

On WYMT TV in Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said there are not enough votes in the U.S. Senate to pass legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. His comment relates to the idea of including defunding in the annual September U.S. Government spending bill, which has received much interest from Republicans over the past month.

Aug 28, 2015:

Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against Alabama Governor Robert Bentley for terminating Medicaid provider agreements with Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood claims the termination violates a federal law that requires beneficiaries to have a choice of providers in family planning care.

Aug 27, 2015:

Planned Parenthood commissioned an analysis of the fetal tissue videos and forwarded the results to congressional leaders. The analysis showed the videos are "manipulated" and not reliable for an official congressional inquiry.

NPR's The Diane Rehm Show aired a one-hour program entitled "New Tactics In The Anti-Abortion Movement".

Diane's guests were:

  • Charles Ornstein, investigative reporter for ProPublica
  • Jackie Calmes, national correspondent for The New York Times
  • Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women
  • Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee

Aug 25, 2015:

Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal for cancelling the state of Louisiana's contract with Planned Parenthood which provided Medicaid funds.

Aug 17, 2015:

Five U.S. states, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Utah, and New Hampshire are attempting to cutoff Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.

Aug 7, 2015:

In an article entitled "The phony, unprincipled war on Planned Parenthood" Mary Sanchez, a journalist for The Kansas City Star, talks about the recent efforts by Republicans to defund Planned Parenthood, the release of fetal tissue videos by The Center for Medical Progress, and the comment made my GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush about funding for women's health issues.

Mary states:

If you oppose abortion and you're not ready to promote the most effective ways of preventing unwanted pregnancies, you're not serious. If you call for "defunding" Planned Parenthood — as virtually the entire Republican Party does — you are attacking a leading purveyor of contraceptives and information about how to use them for women of limited economic resources. You're also threatening to shut down 700 clinics that provide crucial preventative health measures like pap smears and refer women for mammograms.

Aug 3, 2015:

In a statement entitled "GOVERNOR JINDAL ANNOUNCES THE TERMINATION OF MEDICAID CONTRACT WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD" Louisiana Governor and GOP presidential candidate Bobby Jindal canceled the state of Louisiana's contract with Planned Parenthood that provides state Medicaid funds.

In the U.S. Senate, by a cloture procedural vote of 53-46 for "S.1881 - A bill to prohibit Federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America." the legislation stalled (60 votes are needed).

Jul 30, 2015:

A fourth video was released by The Center for Medical Progress.

Watch all four videos here

Jul 28, 2015:

In the U.S. Senate, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst introduced "S.1881 - A bill to prohibit Federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America." which would prohibit federal funding of Planned Parenthood.

Jul 21, 2015:

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee Representative Diane Black introduced "H.R.3134 - Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015" which would defund Planned Parenthood for a period of one year.

FactCheck.org posted an article entitled "Unspinning the Planned Parenthood Video".

Here's what FactCheck said about the legality of selling fetal tissue:

The "sale" of organs, both adult and fetal, for transplantation is indeed illegal, but donation of tissue — both from aborted fetuses and from adults — is not. And payment for "reasonable" costs is also allowed under the law.

The video itself highlights a portion of title 42 of the U.S. code, which reads: "It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly acquire, receive, or otherwise transfer any human organ for valuable consideration for use in human transplantation if the transfer affects interstate commerce." The law does include fetal tissue in its definitions. It says that the term "valuable consideration" doesn't include "reasonable payments" for removal, transportation, preservation and other associated costs.

In 1993, a law pertaining to federally funded NIH research was enacted that allows donation of fetal tissue from induced abortions if certain criteria are met. These include that the woman donating is not aware of the recipients of the tissue, and that the abortion timing, procedures or method itself would not be altered for the sole purpose of obtaining the tissue.

The 1993 law also says that it is unlawful "for any person to knowingly acquire, receive, or otherwise transfer any human fetal tissue for valuable consideration if the transfer affects interstate commerce." The law again excludes the types of costs Nucatola discussed in the video: "The term 'valuable consideration' does not include reasonable payments associated with the transportation, implantation, processing, preservation, quality control, or storage of human fetal tissue."

The American Medical Association echoes this in its ethical guidelines on the issue: "Fetal tissue is not provided in exchange for financial remuneration above that which is necessary to cover reasonable expenses."

Here's what FactCheck said about the undercover videos:

At one point in the unedited video (which was also released by the group), Nucatola [Deborah Nucatola, the senior director of medical services at Planned Parenthood] says: "Affiliates are not looking to make money by doing this. They're looking to serve their patients and just make it not impact their bottom line."

Nucatola also says, "No one's going to see this as a money making thing." And at another point, she says, "Our goal, like I said, is to give patients the option without impacting our bottom line. The messaging is this should not be seen as a new revenue stream, because that's not what it is."

In the edited video, Nucatola says the cost for fetal tissue specimens was between $30 and $100, "depending on the facility and what’s involved." She defined "specimen" as, "one case. One patient."

Nucatola’s comment, though, isn't evidence that Planned Parenthood or its affiliates are selling "body parts" or fetal tissue for profit. The full video shows that after Nucatola mentions the $30 to $100, she describes how those amounts would be reimbursement for expenses related to handling and transportation of the tissues. Nucatola talks about "space issues" and whether shipping would be involved.

According to FactCheck, based on input from three experts in the use of human tissue for research and one other tissue procurement company called Advanced Bioscience Resources, the $30-$100 is reasonable and not in the "for profit" range.

Nucatola does make one statement in the unedited video that suggests to critics that some clinics would be comfortable with a payment that was slightly more than their expenses for providing the tissue. "I think for affiliates, at the end of the day, they're a nonprofit, they just don’t want to — they want to break even. And if they can do a little better than break even, and do so in a way that seems reasonable, they're happy to do that," Nucatola says.

But immediately after this statement, Nucatola goes on to say: "Really their bottom line is, they want to break even. Every penny they save is just pennies they give to another patient. To provide a service the patient wouldn't get." Planned Parenthood told us that she may have been referring to more general operations of the clinics.

In regard to Planned Parenthood's interactions with a tissue procurement company called StemExpress, FactCheck said it has no evidence that Planned Parenthood is profiting.

Jul 17, 2015:

PolitiFact.com posted an article entitled "The Planned Parenthood video in context" which discusses the video released by The Center for Medical Progress.

Here's PolitiFact.com's final assessment:

Posing as a biological tissue procurement company, actors for the Center for Medical Progress secretly filmed a luncheon with Planned Parenthood's senior director of Medical Services Dr. Deborah Nucatola in 2014. On July 14, 2015, the group released a nine-minute video that they say shows Nucatola talking about performing partial-birth abortions to keep body parts intact in order to "sell" them, an action which the video alleges is a felony.

Many, including Planned Parenthood, have said the video was heavily edited and is misleading. They say Nucatola was discussing a standard, legal procedure for providing fetal tissue for scientific research, for which clinics are often reimbursed for costs associated with procuring the tissue (as opposed to selling tissue for a profit).

Who's right? We read the 60-page transcript of the nearly three-hour luncheon and found that Nucatola reveals very little concrete information on Planned Parenthood’s practices. Put simply, there’s no clear gotcha.

Jul 15, 2015:

After the release of fetal tissue videos, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives announced they will conduct a congressional investigation into Planned Parenthood.

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