For some people, the first word that comes to mind when thinking about Planned Parenthood is abortion. For years, there have been rallies and protests against the healthcare facility for this reason. While abortion is a service that can be provided at Planned Parenthood, not all offer abortion and even if they do, they offer so much more than that. Just a few things Planned Parenthood offers are STD testing, contraceptives, hormone treatments, breast, prostate and cervical cancer tests, education for victims of sexual assault, male infertility screenings and vasectomies. Planned Parenthood is vital in both women’s and men’s healthcare.

For the last 106 years, Planned Parenthood has provided affordable healthcare services to anyone who needs them. Planned Parenthood is one of few places in our country where money is not the deciding factor in whether or not someone could get medical services, some of which are life-changing and lifesaving. Without insurance, an annual appointment with a gynecologist could cost up to $600 according to Mira. At Planned Parenthood, an average annual appointment is estimated between $150 and $250 according to Planned Parenthood. Unlike hospital bills, if a patient is unable to pay at the time of service for any services, Planned Parenthood offers many plans to help pay for or divide up the costs. 

According to a study by Planned Parenthood in 2019, at least one in five women has relied on Planned Parenthood for some kind of healthcare in her lifetime. Though not as significant as women, over 250,000 men have used Planned Parenthood. Taking away the easy access to the healthcare services Planned Parenthood provides would be detrimental to anyone, regardless of gender, who relies on Planned Parenthood for healthcare.