INDIANAPOLIS – At the Planned Parenthood of Indiana, 'tis the season of giving health care and contraception. But it's a sentiment that opponents of abortion and artificial birth control say denigrates the holiday season.
The network of 35 clinics across the state announced it is offering holiday vouchers for basic health care services "or the recipient's choice of birth control method."
The organization decided to offer the vouchers because so many people are uninsured or are putting off health care because of prohibitive costs, said Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana. Nearly 800,000 Indiana residents don't have health insurance, she said.
Planned Parenthood's annual exams for women, which include Pap tests and breast exams, typically cost $58. The vouchers can be used for the exams, but also for insurance copays and for medication.
Opponents of abortion said Planned Parenthood was making a "mockery" of the holiday season.
"The tragedy is that almost 6,000 fewer children will be celebrating a first Christmas this year because they were aborted in Planned Parenthood's Indiana clinics," said Mike Fichter, president and CEO of Indiana Right to Life.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana operates abortion clinics in Indianapolis, Merrillville and Bloomington.
"They deserve coal in their stocking, not money for lethal gift certificates," said Sister Diane Carollo, director of the Office for Pro-Life Ministry for the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
But Cockrum said the vouchers were about giving basic health care, and potentially lifesaving care.
"Birth control is the best way to avoid unintended pregnancy. Avoiding unintended pregnancy is the best way to reduce abortion" rates, Cockrum said. She added that her organization performs abortions on only about 5,000 of the 92,000 patients it sees annually.
The vouchers could be applied to the cost of an abortion. "I certainly don't think anyone would consider giving it for that purpose," spokeswoman Kate Shepherd said.
The organization dispenses more than 500,000 units of birth control each year including pills, condoms, diaphragms, spermacides and morning-after pills, she said.
Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe applauded the idea, calling it a "really a meaningful gift."
Spokeswoman Diane Quest of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America said the Indiana branch is among a handful of its 99 affiliates that currently offer gift certificates or have done so in the past.
The gift certificates can be purchased in increments of $25 online or for any dollar amount at some Planned Parenthood of Indiana health centers.
RSS
That wasn't Chicago's point at all. You actively try to start arguments in here by twisting words and attempting to make everyone's opinion horrific. Chill out Proph.
chicago,
So, since it's only 5%, then God will over look their sin?
Even though 95 percent of PP services are for basic healthcare, I can't imagine an instance when giving a Planned Parenthood gift certificate as a stocking-stuffer would be appropriate.
Then again, people can use Wal-Mart gift certificates to purchase firearms. No one seems upset by that.
Here's a more current view that PP holds:
We are not going to be an organization promoting celibacy or chastity."
Faye Wattleton, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Los Angeles Times, Oct. 17, 1986
"There are only 2 basic kinds of sex: sex with victims and sex without. Sex with victims is always wrong. Sex without is ALWAYS right."
You've Changed The Combination, Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, Denver, Colo.
"The question of whether or not to sell ourselves to men is a false one: The real question is how to sell ourselves in the way that is least destructive to ourselves and our sisters. Prostitutes don't need our condescension. What they need is our alliance. And we need theirs."
The New Our Bodies, Ourselves, Boston Women's Health Collective, p 113
"Sex is too important to glop up with sentiment. If you feel sexy, for heaven's sake admit it to yourself. If the feeling and the tension bother you, you can masturbate. Masturbation cannot hurt you and it will make you feel more relaxed."
The Perils of Puberty, Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, Denver, Colo.
In 2205, 2006, the percentage was less than 1% of all clients were refered for adoption. And we're suppose to think that this death certificat, um gift certificate, is to be used for adoption options.
Here's some quotes from Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood:
"The most merciful thing that a large family does to one of its infant members is to kill it."
On blacks, immigrants and indigents:
"...human weeds,' 'reckless breeders,' 'spawning... human beings who never should have been born."
On sterilization & racial purification:
Sanger believed that, for the purpose of racial "purification," couples should be rewarded who chose sterilization.
On the purpose of birth control:
The purpose in promoting birth control was "to create a race of thoroughbreds," (sounds a little like Hitler wanting to create a super-race of people)
On the rights of the handicapped and mentally ill, and racial minorities:
"More children from the fit, less from the unfit -- that is the chief aim of birth control."
On adultery:
A woman's physical satisfaction was more important than any marriage vow.
On marital sex:
"The marriage bed is the most degenerating influence in the social order,"
Pure evil. The deception. And to think they continue on tax payer dollars none the less.
Not mentioned in the article is the fact that that particular planned parenthood also provides adoption counseling and placement services unlike most planned parenthoods. Of course the gift certificates could be used for that purpose as well.
Time to defund Planned Parenthood from our federal tax dollars!
...unbelieveable...
ender,
Much of their monetary support comes from our own pocket. Whether we agree witht them or not.
Does anyone know where Planned Parenthood gets their money?
>> Birth control is the best way to avoid unintended pregnancy. Avoiding unintended pregnancy is the best way to reduce abortion" rates, Cockrum said. <<
Whoa! I thought abstinence was the best way to avoid pregnancy! I'm glad this nice lady was around to tell me otherwise before I REALLY made a mistake. Whew! I better go tell my wife!
Jer,
Amen. What an irony. What a blatant slap in God's face.
How ironic...Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and Planned Parenthood wants to celebrate it by preventing the birth of another human being :(
Gee, and just when you wondered what to get the person who has everything, thank you planned parenthood for such a wonderful gift idea, NOT!!!!!!!
Abortionists = No Conscience
Planned Parenthood = Pure GREED
Its all about money . . .