It’s “illogical” to oppose abortion by cutting off funding for America’s largest abortion provider – at least, that is, according to The Washington Post.
On Wednesday, the Post’s editorial board published an opinion piece – of its opinion – with the headline, “There’s no way to replace Planned Parenthood.” For its inspiration, the board warned about the recent efforts to defund Planned Parenthood via Medicaid in the GOP healthcare bill.
“Of all the magical thinking that has gone into Republican proposals to replace Obamacare,” the board began, “none has been more fanciful than the argument accompanying efforts to defund Planned Parenthood.”
That’s because, the board members added, the idea that “other health-care providers would easily absorb the patients left adrift” is a “yarn.” The “truth,” it continued, is that “community health-care centers cited by Republicans as an alternative” that don’t provide abortion could never “fill the gap” and, as a result, “millions of women” would be at a loss.
As proof, the board name dropped experts in agreement: the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Partnership for Women & Families and even The Post’s own Kim Soffen.
But not once did the board address that there are at least 20 community health centers for every Planned Parenthood clinic, as research by the Charlotte Lozier Institute, the research arm of the Susan B. Anthony List, has revealed. Then again, the board isn't exactly a fan of SBA List.
#MomsDontNeed Planned Parenthood, America's #1 abortion business. https://t.co/shBAr3vJlR #truthbomb #ProLife #defundPP pic.twitter.com/x35iCesWnx
— Susan B Anthony List (@SBAList) May 11, 2017
In one example, a 2015 report by the pro-life group showed that, in the entire state of Mississippi, there was just one Planned Parenthood location, while at the same time, there were 377 Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs) and Rural Health Centers.
Instead, the board continued to commend Planned Parenthood for “high-quality health care” serving “more than 2.4 million Americans at 650 affiliated health centers every year.”
(2.4 million is less than one percent of approximately 325 million Americans, by the way.)
The board also cited Guttmacher, once a research branch of Planned Parenthood, calling possible defunding “political convenience” rather than a “viable policy proposal.”
But the board saved the worst for last. In its own words: “The impulse to defund Planned Parenthood is grounded, illogically, in opposition to abortion.”
“Set aside the fact that abortion is legal and constitutionally protected,” the board added. “More salient, perhaps, is the fact that federal law already bars the use of federal dollars for abortions except in rare cases.”
But that’s not the point. And the point is this: pro-life Americans don’t want to fund an organization – in any way, in any from – that violently tramples on the life and dignity of the unborn human person. Never mind the argument that money is fungible, or that Planned Parenthood could offset costs with public funds to free up other resources for abortion. (Another point highlighted by pro-life groups.)
And, despite offers from President Trump, Planned Parenthood has, time and time again, refused to separate abortion from its other services.
“So what is gained by depriving poor and working women of the basic health services that Planned Parenthood provides — and that no one else can provide?” the board finally asked. “Anyone voting to deprive Planned Parenthood of Medicaid reimbursements should have to answer that question.”
Well, for one: life. Which is what real healthcare is supposed to protect. By halting funding for Planned Parenthood, life is gained for the unborn.
While the board worried that “There’s no way to replace Planned Parenthood,” it’s far more concerning that “There’s no way to replace children.” A child. A human person. And 7.5 million of them are missing today because of Planned Parenthood.
And that’s really what this is really all about.
This isn't the first time the editorial board has come to the defense of Planned Parenthood. According to Planned Parenthood’s most recently published annual report, the organization performed 328,348 abortions and received $554.6 million in “government health services grants and reimbursements” for the year 2015 – 2016.
