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==See also==
==See also==
* [[The ABC of Sex Education for Trainables]], a short film by Planned Parenthood informing people about the need to educate the [[mentally disabled]] ("trainables") about sex
* [[Timeline of reproductive rights legislation]]
* [[Timeline of reproductive rights legislation]]
*[[Reproductive health]]
*[[Reproductive health]]

Revision as of 05:45, 12 February 2011

This article is about Planned Parenthood Federation of America. For the international organization, see International Planned Parenthood Federation.
AbbreviationPPFA
Formation1916
Legal statusFederation
PurposeReproductive Health
Location
  • 820 locations[1]
Region served
United States
Membership
85 independent affiliates[1]
President
Cecile Richards
AffiliationsInternational Planned Parenthood Federation
Budget
$1.038 billion[2]
WebsitePlanned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and one of its larger members. PPFA provides reproductive health and maternal and child health services. Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Inc. (PPAF) is a related organization that lobbies the U.S. political system for pro-choice legislation, comprehensive sex education, and access to affordable health care.[3][dead link‍]

The organization has its roots in Brooklyn, New York where Margaret Sanger opened the country's first birth control clinic. Sanger founded the American Birth Control League in 1921,[4] which changed its name to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. in 1942. Since then, it has grown to have over 820 clinic locations in the United States, with a total budget of approximately US$1 billion, and provides an array of services to over three million people.

History

Margaret Sanger, the first president and founder of Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood originated in 1916 when Margaret Sanger, already a nationally known birth control advocate, and two associates opened the first US birth control clinic in Brooklyn, New York under that name. It resulted in her being jailed.[5] In 1938, the clinic was organized into the American Birth Control League, the only national birth control organization in the US until the 1960s.[6] By 1941, the organization was operating 222 centers and had served 49,000 clients.[7] In 1942 the League became the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.[6] Since then, it has become the world's largest organization of its kind.[7]

Planned Parenthood headquarters on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C.

By 1960, the Federation's grassroots volunteers had provided family planning counseling in hundreds of communities across the country.[7] Planned Parenthood was one of the founding members of the International Planned Parenthood Federation when it was launched at a conference in Bombay, India in 1952.[8][7]

Following Sanger, Alan Guttmacher became president of Planned Parenthood and served from 1962 till 1974.[9] During his tenure, the Food and Drug Administration approved the sale of the original birth control pill, which gave rise to new attitudes towards women's reproductive freedom.[7] Also during his presidency, Planned Parenthood convinced the federal government to fund both domestic and international family planning programs.[7] During his presidency, Planned Parenthood founded the Center for Family Planning Program Development as a semi-autonomous division.[10] This became an independent organization and was renamed as the Guttmacher Institute in 1977.[10]

Faye Wattleton was named president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1978 and served till 1992.[11] She was the first African-American to serve as president, the youngest president ever in its history and the first woman named to the Presidency.[12] During her term, Planned Parenthood grew to become the seventh largest charity in the country, providing services to four million clients each year through its 170 affiliates whose activities were spread across 50 states.[13]

Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt with pro-choice congressman Albert Wynn in front of the US Supreme Court

From 1996 to 2006, Planned Parenthood was led by Gloria Feldt.[14][15] Feldt activated the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the organization's political action committee, launching what was the most aggressive[neutrality is disputed] electoral advocacy effort in its history.[16] She also launched the Responsible Choices Action Agenda, a nationwide campaign to increase services to prevent unwanted pregnancies, improve quality of reproductive care and ensure access to safe and legal abortions.[7] Another initiative was the commencement of a "Global Partnership Program" with the aim of building a vibrant activist constituency in support of family planning.[7]

On February 15, 2006, Cecile Richards became president of the organization.[17]

Margaret Sanger Awards

In 1966, PPFA began awarding the Margaret Sanger Award annually to honor, in their words, "individuals of distinction in recognition of excellence and leadership in furthering reproductive health and reproductive rights." In the first year, it was awarded to four men, Carl G. Hartman, William H. Draper, Lyndon Baines Johnson, and Martin Luther King.[18] Later recipients have included John D. Rockefeller III, Alan Guttmacher, Jane Fonda, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Ted Turner,.[19]

Services and facilities

PPFA is a federation of 85 independent Planned Parenthood affiliates around the United States.[20] These affiliates together operate more than 820 health centers, offering a variety of information and procedures to about three million people, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.[21] Together, they constitute the largest family planning provider in the United States and are also the largest provider of surgical abortions.[22][23]

Services provided at locations include contraceptives (birth control); emergency contraception; screening for breast, cervical and testicular cancers; pregnancy testing and pregnancy options counseling; testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases; comprehensive sexuality education, menopause treatments; vasectomies, tubal ligations, and abortion.

Location in Houston, Texas

The largest of these facilities,[24] a $26 million, 78,000-square-foot (7,200 m2) structure was completed in Houston, Texas in May 2010.[24] This serves as a headquarters for 12 clinics in Texas and Louisiana.[24]

Planned Parenthood describes itself as "the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider." In 2008, contraception constituted 35% of total services, STI/STD testing and treatment constituted 34%, cancer testing and screening constituted 17%; other women's health procedures, including pregnancy, prenatal, midlife, and infertility were 10%, and 3% of total procedures involved surgical and medical abortions.[25] Planned Parenthood affiliates performed 305,310 medical and surgical abortions in 2007, compared to 289,750 in 2006, yet these amounted to only 3% of services provided.[21][26][27]

Funding

Planned Parenthood receives about a third of its money in government grants and contracts ($349.6 million in the 2008 fiscal year). In the 2007–08 Annual Report, clinic income totalled $374.7 million and miscellaneous operating revenues $68.9 million. Planned Parenthood is also funded by private donors, with a membership base of over 700,000 active donors.[26] A coalition of national and local pro-life groups have lobbied the federal government to stop funding Planned Parenthood.[28] Planned Parenthood does not receive any federal funding to perform abortions.[28]

Large donors also contribute a substantial portion of the organization's budget. Previous donors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Buffett Foundation, Ford Foundation, the Cullmans and others.[29][30] The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's contributions to the organization have been specifically marked to avoid funding abortions.[29] Others, such as the Buffett Foundation have donated millions to Planned Parenthood, some of it specifically marked for abortion services.[29] The Christian Action Council has advocated the boycott of donors to Planned Parenthood.[31]

Planned Parenthood and its predecessor organizations have provided and advocated for access to birth control. The modern organization of Planned Parenthood America is also an advocate for reproductive rights including the access to abortion.[32] This advocacy includes contributing to sponsorship of abortion rights and women's rights events[33] and assisting in the testing of new contraceptives.[34] The group opposes restrictions on abortion, including laws requiring parental consent or notification for girls under the age of 18 (or 17 in some states) to have an abortion; requiring an ultrasound before abortion (many Planned Parenthood clinics perform, but do not require, ultrasounds); laws that necessitate a waiting period (ranging from a couple of hours to a day or more); and bans on late-term abortions including partial-birth abortion, which is illegal in the United States.[35]

Planned Parenthood argues for the wide availability of emergency contraception (EC) measures.[36] It opposes refusal clauses, which allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense drugs against their beliefs. In support of their position, they have cited cases where pharmacists have refused to fill life saving drugs under the laws.[37][38] Planned Parenthood has also been critical of hospitals that do not provide access to EC for rape victims.[39] Planned Parenthood supports and provides FDA-approved abortifacients such as mifepristone.[40]

Citing the need for medically accurate information in sex education, Planned Parenthood opposes abstinence-only education in public schools. Instead, Planned Parenthood is a provider of, and endorses, comprehensive sex education, which includes discussion of both abstinence and birth control.[41]

In the US Supreme Court

File:Planned Parenthood Fan Page Profile Photo.jpg
A Planned Parenthood supporter participates in a vigil outside the US Supreme Court

Planned Parenthood regional chapters have been active in the American courts. A number of cases in which Planned Parenthood has been a party have reached the US Supreme Court. Notable among these cases is the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the case that sets forth the current constitutional abortion standard. In this case, "Planned Parenthood" was the Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter, and "Casey" was Robert Casey, a pro-life Democratic governor of Pennsylvania. The ultimate ruling was split, and Roe v. Wade was narrowed but upheld in an opinion written by Sandra Day O'Connor, Anthony Kennedy, and David Souter. Harry Blackmun and John Paul Stevens concurred with the main decision in separately written opinions. The Supreme Court struck down spousal consent requirements for married women to obtain abortions, but found no "undue burden" from the other statutory requirements.[clarification needed] Dissenting were William Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Byron White. Blackmun, Rehnquist, and White were the only justices who voted on the original Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 who were still on the High Court to rule on this case, and their votes on this case were consistent with their votes on the original decision that legalized abortion.[42] Only Blackmun voted to maintain Roe v. Wade in its entirety.

Other related cases include:

  • Planned Parenthood of Central Missouri v. Danforth (1976). This was a constitutionality challenge by Planned Parenthood to a Missouri law encompassing parental consent, spousal consent, clinic bookkeeping and allowed abortion methods. Portions of the challenged law were held to be constitutional, others not.[43]
  • Planned Parenthood Association of Kansas City v. Ashcroft (1983). This was a constitutionality challenge by Planned Parenthood to a Missouri law encompassing parental consent, clinic record keeping, and hospitalization requirements. Most of the challenged law was held to be constitutional.[44]
  • Planned Parenthood v. ACLA (2001). The American Coalition of Life Activists (ACLA) released a flier and “Wanted” posters with complete personal information about doctors who performed abortions. A civil jury and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals both found that the material was indeed "true threats" and not protected speech.[45]
  • Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood (2003). In this case, Planned Parenthood sued Attorney General Gonzales for an injunction again the enforcement of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. Planned Parenthood argued the act was unconstitutional because it violated the Fifth Amendment, namely in that it was overly vague, violated women's constitutional right to have access to abortion, and did not include language for exceptions for the health of the mother. Both the district court and the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit agreed. [46][47]
  • Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (2006). This relates to a constitutionality challenge by Planned Parenthood et al. of a 2003 New Hampshire parental notification law related to access to abortion.[48][49] In Sandra Day O'Connor's final decision before retirement, the Supreme Court sent the case back to lower courts with instructions to seek a remedy short of wholesale invalidation of the statute. New Hampshire ended up repealing the statute via the legislative process.[50]

Controversy and criticism

Actions by Pro-life activists

Planned Parenthood supporters in Columbus, OH

A few pro-life organizations have carried out actions against Planned Parenthood in attempts to substantiate claims that Planned Parenthood did not follow applicable local laws. The groups typically call or visit a Planned Parenthood health center with varying acts: sometimes posing as victims of statutory rape,[51] minors who would need parental notification for abortion,[52][53] racists seeking to earmark donations for abortions for black women,[54] or pimps who want abortions for child prostitutes.[55] The dialogs are recorded and edited to show an employee being seemingly sympathetic to a potentially criminal act leading to allegations that the health center is violating the law. However, none of these stings have led to criminal conviction.[53][52] Furthermore, a 2005 federal inspection by the pro-life Bush administration's Department of Health and Human Services "yielded no evidence of clinics around the nation failing to comply with laws on reporting child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape or incest."[52]

A Salon.com editorial criticized one such action as a "James O'Keefe-style 'sting' in which deceptively edited Internet videos would prove that some organization dedicated to providing services to the poor or otherwise non-privileged was in fact engaged in high crimes and conspiracy against freedom."[56] These videos have been referred to as "hoaxes" perpetuated by "anti-choice groups" "in order to entrap clinic staff."[57][58]

Planned Parenthood clinics have been the target of multiple instances of anti-abortion violence by pro-life advocates.[59][60][61][62]

Court cases

  • Planned Parenthood has been criticised for withholding court-subpoenaed medical records of patients. Planned Parenthood defended its refusal on the grounds of medical privacy. In Indiana, Planned Parenthood was not required to turn over the records.[63] In Kansas, redacted copies of the records were turned over pursuant to stringent court-ordered protections.[64] In October 2005, Planned Parenthood Minnesota/North Dakota/South Dakota was fined $50,000 for violation of a Minnesota state parental consent law.[65]
  • In 2004, a Kansas-based Planned Parenthood clinic was investigated by Pro-Life Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, regarding violating late-term abortion and statutory rape notification laws. Following a three year investigation, Kline's successor, Attorney General Paul Morrison notified the clinic that no criminal charges would be filed. He said "an objective, unbiased and thorough examination" showed no wrongdoing. Morrison stated that he believed Kline had politicized the attorney general's office.[66]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Planned Parenthood at a Glance". Planned Parenthood. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  2. ^ "Planned Parenthood Federation of America 2007-2008 Annual Report" (PDF). Planned Parenthood. 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  3. ^ "Planned Parenthood Action Fund's core issues". Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Retrieved 2008-04-08.
  4. ^ Margaret Sanger Papers Project webpage hosted by New York University. Accessed 2011-02-03.]
  5. ^ McVeigh, Frank; Loreen, Wolfer (2004), Brief history of social problems: a critical thinking approach (Illustrated ed.), University Press of America, ISBN 0761828311
  6. ^ a b Gordon, Linda (2002), The moral property of women: a history of birth control politics in America (3rd ed.), University of Illinois Press, ISBN 0252027647
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Balter, Lawrence (2000), Parenthood in America: an encyclopedia, vol. 1st (Illustrated ed.), ABC-CLIO, ISBN 1576072134
  8. ^ "Birth Control Organizations: International Planned Parenthood Federation" (html). Margaret Sanger Papers. New York University. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  9. ^ "Alan Guttmacher", Toledo Blade, p. 28, March 19, 2974, retrieved February 9, 2011 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  10. ^ a b "The History of the Guttmacher Institute" (html). Official Website. The Guttmacher Institute. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  11. ^ "The Trustees of Columbia University" (html). Office of the Secretary of the University. Columbia University. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  12. ^ "About Faye". Faye Wattleton.
  13. ^ Marshall, Lauren (April 4, 2002), "Women's Rights Advocate Faye Wattleton Elected Newest Columbia Trustee", Columbia News, retrieved February 10, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  14. ^ "Planned Parenthood Chooses New President", Ms. Magazine, January 12, 2006, retrieved February 10, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  15. ^ "New President: Battle over abortion must be refought", Gadsden Times, pp. A5, April 10, 1996, retrieved February 10, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  16. ^ Lewin, Tamar (April 28, 1996), "Shifting gears as the world turns, Planned Parenthood will too under helm of new president", The Chicago Tribune, p. 9 {{citation}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  17. ^ Johnson, Darragh (March 25, 2006). "Cecile Richards, Planned Parenthood's Choice Leader". Washington Post. pp. C01.
  18. ^ http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/who-we-are/reverend-martin-luther-king-jr-4728.htm
  19. ^ http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/politics-policy-issues/ppfa-margaret-sanger-award-winners-4840.htm
  20. ^ "Local and State Offices". Planned Parenthood. Retrieved February 5, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ a b "Planned Parenthood by the Numbers" (PDF). Planned Parenthood. Retrieved February 5, 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ Lerner, Sharon (January 18, 2011), "Does Contraception Count as Prevention?", The Nation, retrieved February 11, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  23. ^ Grady, Denise (July 9, 2009), "Abortion Pill Study Suggests Way to Limit Infection", New York Times, retrieved February 11, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  24. ^ a b c Planned Parenthood debuts new building HOUSTON CHRONICLE May 20, 2010, 10:27PM retrieved June 28, 2010
  25. ^ "Planned Parenthood Services" (PDF). Planned Parenthood. 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  26. ^ a b "Planned Parenthood Federation of America 2006-2007 Annual Report" (PDF). Planned Parenthood. 2008. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  27. ^ "Giuliani donations to Planned Parenthood surface", CNN.com, May 8, 2007, retrieved February 11, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  28. ^ a b "Groups unite vs. Planned Parenthood". politico.com. February 2, 2011.
  29. ^ a b c "The Art of Giving--When Your Resources Are Vast", Business Week, October 25, 1999, retrieved February 10, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  30. ^ Mostel, Raphael (November 12, 2004), "Pushing Foundations To Give Everything They Have", The Daily Jewish Forward, retrieved February 10, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  31. ^ Levin, Tamar (August 8, 1990), "Anti-Abortion Group Urges Boycott of Planned Parenthood Donors", The New York Times, retrieved February 7, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  32. ^ "Abortion Rights". Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 2009. Retrieved July 5, 2009.
  33. ^ Planned Parenthood was one of the co-sponsors of the March for Women's Lives held April 25, 2004. "Abortion activists on the march". BBC News. BBC. 26 April 2004. Retrieved 4 July 2009.
  34. ^ Kolata, Gina (September 29, 2000), "U.S. Approves Abortion Pill; Drug Offers More Privacy, and Could Reshape Debate", New York Times, retrieved February 2, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  35. ^ http://www.plannedparenthoodnj.org/library/topic/procedures_bans/ppfa_opposes_legislation
  36. ^ Emergency Contraception - Planned Parenthood
  37. ^ Carmon, Irin (January 13, 2011), "Pharmacist Refuses Anti-Bleeding Drug To Woman Because She May Have Had Abortion", Jezebel, retrieved February 6, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  38. ^ Strauss, Sharon (January 12, 2011), "Planned Parenthood files complaint against Nampa pharmacist", Idaho Press-Tribune, retrieved February 6, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  39. ^ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yDxHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1PMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2860,5090711&dq=planned-parenthood+hospitals+emergency-contraceptives&hl=en
  40. ^ Kolata, Gina (September 29, 2000), "U.S. Approves Abortion Pill; Drug Offers More Privacy, and Could Reshape Debate", The New York Times, retrieved February 6, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  41. ^ Dejka, Joe (January 30, 2011), "Bill would require sex ed", Omaha World-Herald, retrieved February 6, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  42. ^ Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey
  43. ^ Syllabus, Opinion, one Concurrence, and two Concurrence & Dissent statements
  44. ^ PMID 12041276.
  45. ^ [1]
  46. ^ http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2006/2006_05_1382
  47. ^ "Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc". Duke Law, Supreme Court Online. Retrieved Feb 9, 2011.
  48. ^ Questions before the Court
  49. ^ Opinion of the US First Circuit Court of Appeals leading to the Questions before the Court
  50. ^ Belluck, Pam (June 8, 2007). "New Hampshire to Repeal Parental Notification Law". nytimes.com. Retrieved February 9, 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  51. ^ "Pro-Life Group Launches Undercover Sting". Fox News. 2002-05-31. Retrieved 2007-03-12.
  52. ^ a b c Mieszkowski, Katharine (November 4, 2006). "Abortion foes' dirty tactics: Advocates of a California "parental notification" bill accuse Planned Parenthood of protecting sexual predators instead of teen girls. But who is really breaking the law?". Salon.com. Retrieved January 14, 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  53. ^ a b Mieszkowski, Katharine (September 26, 2002). "Jailbait: How antiabortion zealots posing as underage girls tried to entrap Planned Parenthood workers". Salon.com. Retrieved January 14, 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  54. ^ Forester, Sandra (2008-02-28). "Response to caller 'a serious mistake,' says Planned Parenthood of Idaho". Idaho Statesman. The McClatchy Company. Retrieved 2008-03-16. [dead link‍]
  55. ^ Crary, David (February 2, 2011). "Clinic manager fired after anti-abortion sting". Associated Press. Retrieved February 5, 2011. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  56. ^ Pareen, Alex (February 1, 2011), "The weird, failed Planned Parenthood "sting"", Salon.com, retrieved February 2, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  57. ^ Philips-Sandy, Mary (February 1, 2011), "Planned Parenthood Hoax [VIDEO]", AOL.com, retrieved February 6, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  58. ^ Tencer, Daniel (February 1, 2011), "Anti-abortion group pushes hoax already uncovered by Planned Parenthood", The Raw Story, retrieved February 6, 2011{{citation}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  59. ^ "History of Violence/Extreme Violence". National Abortion Federation (no date).
  60. ^ "Planned Parenthood Arson". wktr.com. May 12, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2007.
  61. ^ Anthony Lonetree (January 23, 2009). "Man charged with driving into Planned Parenthood facility". Star Tribune. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  62. ^ "Man charged with driving into Planned Parenthood facility." (January 23, 2009). "Minneapolis Star-Tribune." Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  63. ^ "Planned Parenthood of Indiana v. Carter, 854 N.E.2d 853 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006)".
  64. ^ "Alpha Medical Clinic v. Anderson, 128 P.3d 364 (Kan. 2006)".
  65. ^ Prather (2005-10-13). "Judge Faults St. Paul Clinic in Abortion Lawsuit". St. Paul Pioneer Press. p. A1. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  66. ^ "Planned Parenthood Clinic Is Cleared in Kansas Probe". The Washington Post. 2007-06-28. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
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