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RECEIVED Tue., July 18, 2017
Dear Editor,
Regarding “What Happens When Texas Blocks Planned Parenthood? Abortions Rise.” [Daily News, July 12], this article effectively reveals how the defunding of Planned Parenthood, as well as the restrictions on family planning services in Texas, not only limit people from getting the critical services that they need, they are also completely ineffective at reducing abortion rates.
For young Texans like me, having access to low-cost birth control and STD testing is crucial, because without these services, we are at increased risk for unintended pregnancy and contracting many incurable diseases. Planned Parenthood has been there for me, and I am lucky to live in Austin where there are three clinics still open, because in many rural and low-income areas in Texas, there is not a single Planned Parenthood clinic for people to go to when they are in need.
Texas politicians have been trying to restrict access to abortion for decades, and they continue that crusade with the special legislative session this summer. The study discussed in this article clearly demonstrates that making it harder for women to have access to family planning does the exact opposite of what of what the policy is intended to do. When people lack sexual education and birth control resources, they are at a higher risk of pregnancy, and when women get pregnant before they are ready, they are more likely to get an abortion. This is common sense.
We must stop allowing our representatives to write and pass ineffective laws that are against the interests of the people of our state. This special session, making our voices heard loud and clear is going to be more important than ever. We can make a difference in women’s health if we organize together.
Regarding “What Happens When Texas Blocks Planned Parenthood? Abortions Rise.” [Daily News, July 12], this article effectively reveals how the defunding of Planned Parenthood, as well as the restrictions on family planning services in Texas, not only limit people from getting the critical services that they need, they are also completely ineffective at reducing abortion rates.
For young Texans like me, having access to low-cost birth control and STD testing is crucial, because without these services, we are at increased risk for unintended pregnancy and contracting many incurable diseases. Planned Parenthood has been there for me, and I am lucky to live in Austin where there are three clinics still open, because in many rural and low-income areas in Texas, there is not a single Planned Parenthood clinic for people to go to when they are in need.
Texas politicians have been trying to restrict access to abortion for decades, and they continue that crusade with the special legislative session this summer. The study discussed in this article clearly demonstrates that making it harder for women to have access to family planning does the exact opposite of what of what the policy is intended to do. When people lack sexual education and birth control resources, they are at a higher risk of pregnancy, and when women get pregnant before they are ready, they are more likely to get an abortion. This is common sense.
We must stop allowing our representatives to write and pass ineffective laws that are against the interests of the people of our state. This special session, making our voices heard loud and clear is going to be more important than ever. We can make a difference in women’s health if we organize together.
Laura Rybicki