It seems as if each week Congress is voting to defund women’s resource clinics such as Planned Parenthood. Some politicians and activists believe that Planned Parenthood only offers abortion and with the upcoming election many presidential candidates are making their opinions known to voters.
(Ciara O’Callaghan shoots the Pregnancy Resource Clinic)
While Planned Parenthood has been been known to give women the opportunity to receive a safe and affordable abortion, very few people do not know that not every Planned Parenthood offers abortion. In fact, in 2013 Indiana shut down the state’s only Planned Parenthood — that Planned Parenthood did not offer abortions but they were known as the go-to clinic for receiving sexual education and STD testing. After the Planned Parenthood closed, Indiana saw an outbreak in HIV.
In addition to sexual education and STD testing, Planned Parenthood also offers breast cancer screenings, counseling, ultrasounds, pregnancy tests and pap smears.
Michelle Stoume, a college student, appeared a bit bewildered that members of Congress are the deciding vote on choices that should be her own, not the government’s. Stoume believes that a woman should have full entitlement over her body.
State College previously had a Planned Parenthood at 137 South Pugh Street, however, the Planned Parenthood was recently shut down and while no definite answer was given, it can be assumed that the company was forced to shut down as Congress chose to defund the the clinic.
(The former State College Planned Parenthood)
If State College residents wish to visit a Planned Parenthood, the closest one is located in Pittsburgh which is over two and a half hours away.
(The Pregnancy Resource Clinic located at 423 S. Pugh Street)
A few blocks down the street from the former State College Planned Parenthood is the Pregnancy Resource Clinic located at 423 South Pugh Street. Here, State College residents can receive similar services from a Planned Parenthood.