Summary: Democrats in the U.S. Senate, along with some Republicans, stopped an effort on Thursday to stop federal funds for the women's health care group Planned Parenthood in a move that could help prevent a government shutdown on October first. Obama threatened to veto the legislature if it went through right before the vote; Senators voted 52-47 against the bill that gave $235 million from Planned Parenthood to women's health clinics that don't perform abortions. Planned Parenthood is currently being investigated because it has been accused of selling tissues from aborted fetuses for profit. Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest provider of abortions but is forbidden from using any money for abortions. If Planned Parenthood's funding was fully terminated it would cost the government an estimated $130 million with the number of people increasing who need Medicaid. Medicaid only covers the cost of abortions in cases of rape or incest, in all but seventeen states.
Questions: Do you agree with the majority of the Republican party that the government should not have to fund Planned Parenthood's? Do you think that the government should have to fund abortions? Should Medicaid cover abortions? What do you think of Obama's threat?
Good post. Remember the Hyde Amendment dictates that no federal dollars will go to funding abortion. What do you think of the fact Boehner resigned today?
ReplyDeleteI do not agree w/ the Republican party that government should not have to fund planned parenthood. Planned parenthood is important for many people and provides a significant amount of sexual education for the public (which is often not taught enough/well in schools). I do not think that the government necessarily has to fund abortions specifically, but I do think that the government should have funds going towards sexual safety/health. If planned parenthood will not be funded/funding abortions, Medicaid should cover all abortions (not matter the cause [ even if it is not a case of rape or incest]). I think Obama's threat is an interesting concept, especially because it is at the end of his presidency.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Evalynna, Planned Parenthood is not only for abortions as some Republican senators make it out to be. Therefore, these senators should not prohibit funds for the company, but should spend time investigating the allegations of tissue for profit instead of taking petty political stances. The issue here is the health of women in general, which includes abortions should they choose to have them. Should Planned Parenthood lose this much funding, cancer screenings, contraceptive distribution, and similar health procedures will suffer as well. On another note, a majority male Senate should really have no say on these issues at all considering they are not women. The compromise of Medicaid covering all abortions sounds like the best idea at this point, especially with Obama's very valid and constitutional threat. Unless, of course, Trump wins.
DeletePersonally, I am on the Democrats side. Cutting the funding for Planned Parenthood is immoral and causes little to no financial relief, as the government would have to pay an extra $130 million dollars. For many, Planned Parenthood is the only way to receive medical care or information that they may not be able to get elsewhere. It provides a safe place for underprivileged or uneducated women who need to learn how to manage their health care. I believe that the government, whether it be Medicaid or Planned Parenthood, has the responsibility to fund abortions. The privacy rights implied by the Bill of Rights give women control over their own bodies and the ability to make their own decisions. Abortions are a personal matter than should not be regulated by the government. After all, keeping an unwanted baby only causes more problems in the long run. There are many circumstances in which abortion may be necessary that the government can not control. Planned Parenthood offers many important health services not involving abortion that many women rely on. Although I am not sure how effective Obama's threat may be, I think that it was a valid statement for him to make. Being a Democrat, I am not surprised that he would take a stand for women's rights and the continuation of Planned Parenthood.
DeleteThe Republican Party is wrong in saying that the government should not fund planned parenthood. Planned parenthood allows for people to learn about sexual health, not just for abortions. It helps people who have a lower income or do not have health care pay for things they could not afford at a normal hospital. The senators should spend time investigating whether or not the company is selling tissues from aborted fetuses for profit. If these allegations are true and planned parenthood stops funding abortions, Medicaid should cover the abortions, since Obama is near the ending of his term.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alison, Planned Parenthood is not only used for abortions, in fact the majority of the time it is actually used as a way for both women and men to gain basic health care. If the Republican Party should not be allowed to defund the organization solely because of one treatment they offer, if they do defund Planned Parenthood they would be forced to make up for those cuts in the Medicaid program.
DeleteI agree with Alison, Planned Parenthood is not only used for abortions, in fact the majority of the time it is actually used as a way for both women and men to gain basic health care. If the Republican Party should not be allowed to defund the organization solely because of one treatment they offer, if they do defund Planned Parenthood they would be forced to make up for those cuts in the Medicaid program.
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DeleteI disagree with the Republican Party's stance on Planned Parenthood because it focuses on one aspect of the program it dislikes. While Planned Parenthood does provide abortions, it helps educate the general public about health and sexual safety. Along with educating the public, Planned Parenthood also provides clinics for less privileged youths. The government should not have to fund abortions specifically, but it should be able to be encompassed in the funding of an overall clinic. Medicaid should cover abortions because in order to provide a comprehensive health service, abortion should be offered as a choice for women. I think Obama's veto is not as effective because he is a lame duck president.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Planned Parenthood has much more important functions than just abortion. I do not agree with the Republican Party's desire to stop funding and disagree with their ignorance to the real importance of Planned Parenthood. The executive Vice President of the organization attempted to combat the republicans stance and accusations, but instead endured "five hours of haranguing and grilling...and not barely letting her get a word in edgewise where she was explaining very clearly what Planned Parenthood does, who Planned Parenthood serves and why Planned Parenthood is so important to the women, men and families of this country." The Republican Party's ignorance to what the country needs is wrong, and the government should be allowed to fun abortions. I think Obama's threat was influential because he stoop up for women.
Deletehttp://www.cnn.com/2015/09/30/politics/planned-parenthood-evp-dawn-laguens-republicans/
I do not think that planned parenthood should be unable to fund abortions. I believe that the government is overstepping its control in limiting the reproductive rights and choices of women. The government should focus on helping people who are alive, not fetus's that are developing. If a women does not want to be a mother, it is emotionally easier for some to go through an abortion than to give up a child and carry around the daily guilt and curiosity of where and who their child is with.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that planned parenthood should be unable to fund abortions. I believe that the government is overstepping its control in limiting the reproductive rights and choices of women. The government should focus on helping people who are alive, not fetus's that are developing. If a women does not want to be a mother, it is emotionally easier for some to go through an abortion than to give up a child and carry around the daily guilt and curiosity of where and who their child is with.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the Republican Party because of the fact that Planned Parenthood is related to the privacy of citizens. I believe that the government should not be primarily focused on defunding planned parenthood because it is one of the only places that prevents teen moms. Furthermore, Planned Parenthood isn't only used for abortions. It also promotes safe sex and is a place where people can go to learn about safe sex and boundaries. Obama's threat is interesting, as I'm not sure how effective is is/was.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree that money for Planned Parenthood be revoked. Abortion has always been a controversial topic, mainly because the Republicans are generally pro-life. However, if men were delivering babies instead of women, the topic of abortion wouldn't even be an issue. Women have the right to do what they want with their bodies and are protected under privacy through the Bill or Rights. If Planned Parenthood does not receive money, then the government should fund Planned Parenthood, because it only supports women who may be struggling. I am glad Obama threatened the Republicans, because he is standing up for women.
ReplyDeleteThe United States government is not obligated to fund Planned Parent, however it does have a level of responsibility to provide the American public with sexual and health education. As is the case, the Republicans were wrong in their attempt to end funding for Planned Parenthood because it is one of the few organizations that provides critical sexual and health education to the public, and stands as a last resort entity for those in need of abortions when other safe alternatives aren't available. Cutting funding would be a mistake, not just because of the social repercussions but also because from a financial perspective it would cost the government millions to make up the slack if Planned Parent were defunded. In an ideal world, Medicaid would cover the costs of abortion procedures, however in the current financial situation it simply isn't feasible, which is why it is critical that organizations such as Planned Parenthood remain in operation. Obama's veto threat shows his stance on the issue, and reflects the popular opinion of the American public.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the points David made. Although not required to, the government funding Planned Parenthood has benefits for the individual as well as the nation. By rejecting the proposal to defund Planned Parenthood, Obama is saving the US's Medicaid $130 million as well as a potential even further escalated battle between those for and those against pro-life. On a more personal scale, women will continue to have access to both sexual education and access to abortion as a readily option, all provided by Planned Parenthood. In addition, despite the expenses and the Republican oppositions, the choice whether to have or not to have an abortion is protected by the amendment of right to privacy. This signifies the necessity of institutions like Planned Parenthood, successfully continuing to operate because of government funding.
DeleteI think that it would be both economically inefficient and morally wrong for the government to cease funding for Planned Parenthood. As the summary stated, it would cost the government, which is already tight on funding when it comes to medical aid, an extra $130 million. Additionally, Planned Parenthood is a well-known clinic that stands for women independence and rights and provides care in any circumstance to unprivileged women. Either medicaid or planned parenthood should cover abortions. It is much crueler to allow a child that is unwanted and will not be properly cared for to be born than to abort an unfeeling fetus for the emotional and physical well-being of the mother. If there are any issues that arise in the working of certain Planned Parenthood clinics, those issues should be dealt with and fixed individually, rather than completely cutting funding for all clinics. Obama has the full right to make and enforce his threat, as it is his belief that Planned Parenthood is needed to protect the rights of US citizens.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the government should not take away the funding for planned parenthood. It is true that it would be inefficient to take away the funding because of the extra $130 million cost and as well as the loss of functions that planned parenthood carries out. I think that in this case, the organization is only being associated with abortion, and the Republican party is therefore failing to recognize everything else that planned parenthood does. Although it is true that planned parenthood covers abortions, the organization also provides valuable information regarding birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, and other related issues. I strongly agree with Lina's point about underprivileged women and how this government action will have a negative impact on their lives. Overall, the termination of the funding for Planned Parenthood is most likely just going to raise more conflict about the abortion issue.
DeletePersonally, I am on the side of the Democrats. I believe that Planned Parenthood is an important organization because it has been very successful at preventing teen pregnancy and teaching people to practice safe sex. However, I do see where many of them are coming from. If they are paying tax money to the government, why should it go to Planned Parenthood, a company that performs abortion (something they are strongly against and have the right to be against)? However, they lose their argument with the Hyde Amendment. Because of this law, none of the money that goes to Planned Parenthood can be used for abortion. All the money they are giving it goes to the programs of Planned Parenthood that help prevent pregnancy and decrease the need for abortions. Giving the money to different organizations will have no effect on abortions because the money will go towards the same types of programs, and people who were going to have their abortion at Planned Parenthood can just do it somewhere else. Because of this, I feel that the republicans should be for funding Planned Parenthood, or at least not against it.
ReplyDeletePlanned Parenthood puts very little of its emphasis towards abortions. Ultimately, I believe the organization prevents many more potential abortions than it performs.
DeleteI disagree with the social ideas of the republican party because with planned parenthood. This leads to taking away each individuals rights to the 1st amendment. And we do not want that to happen. I also think that people should care about what the individual wants rather than it just being planned. Abortion is an okay thing to do but people just need to support it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the government should have to fund the abortions of women considering that it isn't a government rule that women get abortions. It was their choice to get the abortion so they should be the ones to pay for it. If the government were to fund everything that people do because they chose to do so then we would never have to pay for anything in this life.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the government should defund Planned Parenthood. No matter your stance on abortion, there is no doubt that sexual education and access to resources that can assure your health and safety is a right to US citizens. The government has a duty to educate and protect their citizens. In addition, I think that either the government should fund abortions or it should be covered in Medicade. Just as an operation that could save your life or make your life significantly better is covered by the government or insurance, abortions should be treated the same way. An abortion is not an act of murder, rather a chance to save the life of the mother or potentially prevent a living situation that would be completely unfit and horrible for both mother and child.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that the government should defund Planned Parenthood. No matter your stance on abortion, there is no doubt that sexual education and access to resources that can assure your health and safety is a right to US citizens. The government has a duty to educate and protect their citizens. In addition, I think that either the government should fund abortions or it should be covered in Medicade. Just as an operation that could save your life or make your life significantly better is covered by the government or insurance, abortions should be treated the same way. An abortion is not an act of murder, rather a chance to save the life of the mother or potentially prevent a living situation that would be completely unfit and horrible for both mother and child.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lucy, the education and resources Planned Parenthood apply are incredible. We need to have it as a system. I'm of the belief it's a woman choice to abortion, and the government should pay for abortions. Their is a lot of class shaming in this country, that negatively affect great things like Planned Parenthood.
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