Planned Parenthood Debate Analysis

According to Dreier and Atlas (2012), Planned Parenthood was at the forefront of the effort to protect “access to abortion coverage in the private health insurance market as part of the 2010 health care reform law” (p. 91). There are many stakeholders involved in this issue, who often feel passionately about one side of the argument. For example, male and female citizens, religious groups, policymakers, Planned Parenthood, and other special interest groups are all involved in discussion about abortion, and whether Federal Government funds should be allocated to groups that perform abortion services. Politicians on the conservative (typically republican) side tend to oppose the practice and legality of abortion, while liberal politicians (typically Democrats) tend to value women’s choice in terminating pregnancy. It is a topic that is discussed in public official elections unfailingly. American opinions fall all along the spectrum between extremes. Citizens with extremely liberal views may believe abortion should be a woman’s choice and that the Federal Government should fund organizations that provide this service. On the opposite end, extremely conservative citizens may feel that abortion should be completely illegal, and
A few examples of pro-life special interest groups include the Campaign for Working Families, National Right to Life, and Center for Medical Progress of Los Angeles. These groups believe wholeheartedly that human life is created at the point of conception. These groups have made several efforts to “expose” Planned Parenthood for “wrongdoings” that could lead to the program being shut down or cut off from funding. For example, the Center for Medical Progress of Los Angeles released footage that allegedly “proved” that Planned Parenthood sold aborted remains for profit