Planned Parenthood and abortion access are two different, but overlapping political issues. Both have been under attack for years. Donald Trump, though his words, cabinet picks and policy proposal known as the American Healthcare Act, has openly attacked both.
His draconian “healthcare” plan, which now lies dead in the water, would have imposed a year-long freeze on federal funding to Planned Parenthood.
Earlier this month Trump added insult to intended injury by attempting to bribe the organization. The White House offered to remove the proposed freeze from the bill, possibly even increase federal funding, if Planned Parenthood would agree to end the abortion services they currently provide to their patients—abortions that are legally protected by the Roe v. Wade decision and for which women fought tirelessly to obtain; abortion services that represent only 3 percent of their total services.
Planned Parenthood rejected the slimy deal.
Dawn Laugens, executive vice president of the organization stated, “Offering money to Planned Parenthood to abandon our patients and our values is not a deal that we will ever accept. Providing critical health care services for millions of American women is nonnegotiable.”
No federal funds have been provided for abortion services since the Hyde Amendment was put into place in 1976, so the argument that the proposed attacks are meant to “defund” abortions is a ridiculous lie. Planned Parenthood does not really receive funds from the federal government anyhow. What they do receive is reimbursement from their patients who are on Medicare. Regarding the AHCA, Julie Lynn, manager of external affairs at Planned Parenthood Illinois, recently stated, “For some people, Planned Parenthood is their only health provider, and it will be devastating if this happens… A lot of people simply won’t be able to get that care.”
The “defunding” of Planned Parenthood would really be yet another barrier to healthcare access for low-income workers.
What remains are provision of Sexually Transmitted Infection testing and treatment, contraception, and cancer screening and exams. At the very core of the Trump administration’s attempted attack on Planned Parenthood is an attack on the poor.
Capitalism cannot serve the people because the interest of the working class is diametrically opposed to the interest of the capitalists. While our interest is a secure and dignified life, their interest lies in profit and profit alone. Because a socialist economy is based on the needs of the people instead of the profits of corporations, the wealth produced by the working class would be used in the interest of the people. The socialist budget would prioritize housing, healthcare and education instead of bombs, corporations and police.
Socialists say that preventative and quality healthcare is a basic right to which every person should have access—including abortion on demand and without apology.
