Where are Planned Parenthood’s Priorities?

Where are Planned Parenthood’s Priorities?

Diane Rivera López

October 1, 2019

Planned Parenthood’s decision to withdraw from participating in a $260 million federally funded program, is bringing harsh criticism as it is affecting the cost of services for women across the United States. Planned Parenthood decided they would withdraw from the program that provides birth control and other health services to poor women rather than complying with a new Trump administration rule that forbids referrals to doctors who can perform abortions. The Department of Health and Human Services have also stated that groups that refused to comply with the rule “are now blaming the government for their actions, withholding their obligations to serve their patients under the program.” The law states that clinics accepting the Title X funds may talk to patients about abortion; however, they may not refer women to an abortion provider or suggest where to obtain an abortion. The new policy will direct federal dollars toward anti-abortion, faith-based provisions and bans all participating doctors from giving women information about obtaining abortions. This new change will also give women more information about resources that can help them choose life. These new changes will allow organizations who object to abortion to still apply for Title X grants. It also protects women and children by requiring compliance with state reporting laws regarding human trafficking, incest, coercive sexual activity, rape, child abuse, and other crimes.

On that note, they take not into account that their choice to withdraw will affect millions of low-income women who could lose access to birth control and other reproductive health services when the Trump’s administration rule kicks in since it also bans funding for clinics that make abortion referrals, among other restrictions.  The longstanding restrictions on using federal money for abortions, the rule also cuts off family planning dollars to clinics that use their own money to provide abortions.  Some providers who oppose the new policy already have stopped using federal Title X family funds. In August, Planned Parenthood filed court papers with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, asking them to block the rule. Which leads many to questions, what are their priorities regarding the services they provide? Are they really in it just for the well-being of their clients?

I believe what better than a personal experience can intercept in this fight and share my own experience as a teen. I assure you, my reader, that other than abortion on demand, Planned Parenthood, gave me no other options, informative alternatives, counseling or assistant when I heeded to their offices and sought out their services in finding a solution to my concerns. Such negate and bad advice from others lead me to a decision that I will forever regret and can assure you that Planned Parenthood, did motivate me to consider life in my womb in any manner.  I was misinformed and was quickly led to choose an abortion, they said my child was not formed, nor would they suffer. This was in 1988 and the internet was not accessible with as much information as we have now, nor did I see just how far developed my child would be at that point.  I undoubtedly understand that there are situations where the life of the mother is of great concern in a health crisis, domestic violence, rape or other grave situations. However, it is also a fact that many abortions are performed because of the irresponsible acts of women who do not make the decision beforehand, making the better choice before the actual act of conception itself, but rather after the moment.

In a day and age, where there are so many alternatives in birth control, it is inconceivable that we are still taking the lives of so many innocent and defenseless children, which are our future leaders, future parents, and professionals. Such choices whom some refer to as freedom, do give not a fair chance to the life that is in the womb, who have not yet seen their freedom of life and rights, if those millions of babies had their voices and choices heard, they would assuredly choose life! Although some mothers make this decision carelessly and selfishly, we do have empathy for those who earnestly care and suffer through the hard decision of having an abortion. Some studies show that women who have abortions tend to have more cases of depression, suicidal thoughts, stress and profound guilty feelings for having made the wrong decisions. Some have lived out their lives in regret and can’t seem to shake off the lasting effects of their choices. But rather, learn from our mistakes and help others along the way not to make a quick and careless decision, but rather an informative and thought out decision that leads to consider other options as well as adoption.

There are some states have “Heartbeat bills”, as the term implies and are seeking to make abortion illegal as soon as what anti-abortion supporters describe as a fetus with a heartbeat that is detectable. New York passed the Reproductive Health Act on January 22, which also expands the list of health care professionals who can perform abortions beyond physicians to also include highly trained nurse practitioners, licensed midwives, and physician assistants.  While it also removes abortion from the criminal code and places it within the declaration of public health law. We who believe that the life of a child begins in the womb of the mother, from the moment of conception, we will continue to challenge the opposition and hold dear to our greatest supporter and guideline for truth, according to the creator of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness:  Psalm 139:19 states, “For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. The book of Isaiah says it best, in chapter 49:15″Can a woman forget her nursing child or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.” Say’s the Lord.  Dear reader, perhaps we can be the light in someone’s path and make the change that is needed to save lives and see them as human, as our present and future, and as our dearest heartfelt gift for life.

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Diane Rivera López was born and raised in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Her ministerial walk started in her local church serving as Sunday school bible teacher for children, a youth leader and later became a secretary, as well as a deacon. She became a Director and writer in a tract ministry for five years where thousands of tracts were printed and sent across She was a speaker and fundraiser at Christian Radio Vision International for several years. In the past, she produced her own weekly T.V program for three years and produced and starred in several plays. In her love of writing, she is currently a writer and part of “Subete al Arca” Christian Magazine, as well as the Director of “The Gala Magazine” of the Redemption Awards, where she is a publicist. Currently is an account executive at Alerta T.V Network, which airs on 24/7 in Verizon Cable. She is presently working on her first book, which will have an array of current topics as well as her personal life story. In 2013 she became the Deputy Campaign Manager for a Mayoral Candidate with Conservative principles in the state of N.Y. She has been honored with 2 Certificates of Merit from the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly. She studied Communications at BMCC and is a few credits shy of a Bachelor’s in Theological Studies.