Health Care Reform and Abortion
Dear editor,
With the health care reform bill, the U.S. Senate is poised to bail out abortion provider Planned Parenthood. A Harvard Business School case states that this organization is facing financial difficulties, stemming from the uneven strength of its U.S. affiliates.
Some of them are near-bankruptcy because of tough economic times, a hostile political environment and limited ability to raise philanthropic dollars.
Difficulties such as these are driving down the number of Planned Parenthood affiliates. Yet, its president, Cecile Richards, would like to dramatically increase Planned Parenthood´s client base: If we see three million women and there are 10 million more that need our services, then our question is how do we get to them, she told Harvard interviewers.
One obstacle to such expansion is that most of Planned Parenthood´s potential clients have low incomes and cannot pay for products and services ― unless they are subsidized.
The health reform will benefit millions who lack insurance, but thanks to the U.S. Senate, Planned Parenthood´s abortion business is geared for a major expansion with the financial backing of the U.S. government.
Mauricio Roman
Menlo Park, California