What is Planned Parenthood?

2021-05-24

what

Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive healthcare services for women, men, and teens in the United States. Founded in 1916, Planned Parenthood has over 600 health centers nationwide and serves more than 2.4 million people each year. The organization's mission is to "provide comprehensive reproductive and sexual health care services, education, and advocacy to empower people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive lives."

Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of services, including birth control, pregnancy testing and counseling, abortion, STD testing and treatment, and cancer screenings. The organization also provides education and outreach programs to promote sexual health and prevent unintended pregnancy. Planned Parenthood is a leading advocate for reproductive rights and access to affordable healthcare.

In this informative article, we will delve deeper into the services provided by Planned Parenthood, its history, and its role in advocating for reproductive rights.

What is Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is a leading provider of reproductive and sexual healthcare in the United States.

Non-profit organization
Founded in 1916
600+ health centers nationwide
Serves 2.4 million people annually
Mission: Empower people to make informed reproductive choices
Services: birth control, abortion, STD testing, cancer screenings
Education and outreach programs
Advocacy for reproductive rights
Affordable healthcare

Planned Parenthood is a vital resource for millions of Americans, providing essential healthcare services and advocating for reproductive rights.

Non-profit organization

Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization, which means that it does not operate for profit. Instead, its goal is to provide affordable and accessible healthcare services to people in need. Planned Parenthood relies on donations, grants, and patient fees to fund its operations.

Being a non-profit organization allows Planned Parenthood to focus on its mission of providing reproductive and sexual healthcare services, rather than on making a profit. This means that Planned Parenthood can offer its services at a lower cost than many other healthcare providers.

Planned Parenthood is also a non-governmental organization, which means that it is not controlled or funded by any government entity. This allows Planned Parenthood to operate independently and to advocate for policies that support reproductive rights and access to healthcare.

Planned Parenthood's non-profit and non-governmental status allows it to provide essential healthcare services to millions of people, regardless of their ability to pay. Planned Parenthood also plays a vital role in advocating for reproductive rights and access to affordable healthcare.

Planned Parenthood's non-profit status is essential to its mission of providing affordable and accessible healthcare services to people in need.

Founded in 1916

Planned Parenthood was founded in 1916 by Margaret Sanger, a nurse and women's rights activist. Sanger was a strong advocate for reproductive rights and access to birth control. At the time, it was illegal to provide or distribute birth control information in the United States.

Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States in 1916. The clinic was raided by police and Sanger was arrested. However, Sanger's work helped to raise awareness about the importance of reproductive rights and access to birth control.

In 1921, Sanger founded the American Birth Control League, which later became Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Planned Parenthood continued to fight for reproductive rights and access to birth control throughout the 20th century.

Today, Planned Parenthood is a leading provider of reproductive and sexual healthcare in the United States. The organization provides a wide range of services, including birth control, pregnancy testing and counseling, abortion, STD testing and treatment, and cancer screenings. Planned Parenthood also provides education and outreach programs to promote sexual health and prevent unintended pregnancy.

Planned Parenthood's founding in 1916 was a major milestone in the fight for reproductive rights and access to healthcare in the United States. The organization has played a vital role in improving the lives of millions of people.

600+ health centers nationwide

Planned Parenthood has over 600 health centers located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These health centers provide a wide range of reproductive and sexual healthcare services, including birth control, pregnancy testing and counseling, abortion, STD testing and treatment, and cancer screenings.

Comprehensive care: Planned Parenthood's health centers offer a comprehensive range of reproductive and sexual healthcare services, so people can get the care they need in one place.
Convenient locations: Planned Parenthood's health centers are located in urban, suburban, and rural areas, making it easy for people to access care.
Affordable services: Planned Parenthood offers its services at a sliding scale, based on a person's ability to pay. This means that everyone can get the care they need, regardless of their income.
Expert staff: Planned Parenthood's health centers are staffed by experienced and compassionate healthcare professionals who are committed to providing high-quality care.

Planned Parenthood's network of health centers provides essential healthcare services to millions of people across the United States. These health centers play a vital role in ensuring that people have access to the reproductive and sexual healthcare they need.

Serves 2.4 million people annually

Planned Parenthood serves over 2.4 million people each year. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and income levels. Planned Parenthood provides a wide range of reproductive and sexual healthcare services, including birth control, pregnancy testing and counseling, abortion, STD testing and treatment, and cancer screenings.

Essential healthcare: Planned Parenthood provides essential healthcare services to people who may not be able to get these services elsewhere. This includes people who are uninsured, underinsured, or who live in rural or underserved areas.
Quality care: Planned Parenthood is committed to providing high-quality care to all of its patients. The organization's health centers are staffed by experienced and compassionate healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing the best possible care.
Confidential care: Planned Parenthood respects the privacy of its patients. All patient information is kept confidential, regardless of the services that are provided.
Affordable care: Planned Parenthood offers its services at a sliding scale, based on a person's ability to pay. This means that everyone can get the care they need, regardless of their income.

Planned Parenthood plays a vital role in providing essential healthcare services to millions of people across the United States. The organization's health centers are a safe and welcoming place for people to get the care they need.

Mission: Empower people to make informed reproductive choices

Planned Parenthood's mission is to empower people to make informed reproductive choices. This means providing people with the information and resources they need to make decisions about their own bodies and their own lives.

Planned Parenthood believes that everyone has the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health, including whether or not to have children, when to have children, and how to prevent unintended pregnancy. Planned Parenthood also believes that everyone has the right to access affordable, quality reproductive healthcare services.

Planned Parenthood works to empower people to make informed reproductive choices by providing comprehensive sex education, birth control, and other reproductive healthcare services. The organization also advocates for policies that support reproductive rights and access to healthcare.

Planned Parenthood's work is essential to ensuring that people have the power to make decisions about their own bodies and their own lives. The organization's mission is more important than ever in today's political climate, where reproductive rights are under attack.

Planned Parenthood is committed to providing people with the information and resources they need to make informed reproductive choices. The organization's work is essential to ensuring that people have the power to make decisions about their own bodies and their own lives.

Services: birth control, abortion, STD testing, cancer screenings

Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of reproductive and sexual healthcare services, including:

Birth control: Planned Parenthood provides a variety of birth control methods, including condoms, birth control pills, IUDs, and implants. The organization also offers emergency contraception.
Abortion: Planned Parenthood provides safe and legal abortion services. The organization offers a variety of abortion methods, including medication abortion and surgical abortion.
STD testing and treatment: Planned Parenthood offers STD testing and treatment for a variety of STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.
Cancer screenings: Planned Parenthood offers cancer screenings for cervical cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer.

Planned Parenthood also offers a variety of other services, including pregnancy testing and counseling, well-woman exams, and vasectomies.

Planned Parenthood's services are essential to ensuring that people have access to the reproductive and sexual healthcare they need. The organization's health centers are a safe and welcoming place for people to get the care they need.

Planned Parenthood provides a wide range of reproductive and sexual healthcare services to people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and income levels. The organization's services are essential to ensuring that people have access to the care they need.

Education and outreach programs

Planned Parenthood offers a variety of education and outreach programs to promote sexual health and prevent unintended pregnancy. These programs are designed to reach people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and income levels.

Sex education: Planned Parenthood provides comprehensive sex education programs for teens and young adults. These programs cover a variety of topics, including anatomy, puberty, contraception, and STDs.
Pregnancy prevention: Planned Parenthood offers pregnancy prevention programs for teens and young adults. These programs provide information about contraception and how to use it correctly.
STD prevention: Planned Parenthood offers STD prevention programs for people of all ages. These programs provide information about STDs and how to prevent them.
Healthy relationships: Planned Parenthood offers healthy relationships programs for teens and young adults. These programs teach people how to build healthy relationships and avoid unhealthy relationships.

Planned Parenthood's education and outreach programs are essential to promoting sexual health and preventing unintended pregnancy. These programs help people make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

Advocacy for reproductive rights

Planned Parenthood is a leading advocate for reproductive rights. The organization works to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, contraception, and sex education.

Lobbying and advocacy: Planned Parenthood lobbies elected officials and advocates for policies that support reproductive rights. The organization also works to defeat policies that restrict access to reproductive healthcare.
Litigation: Planned Parenthood uses litigation to challenge laws and policies that restrict access to reproductive healthcare. The organization has successfully challenged many laws that restrict abortion access.
Public education: Planned Parenthood educates the public about reproductive rights and the importance of access to reproductive healthcare. The organization also works to dispel myths and misinformation about abortion and other reproductive health services.
Grassroots organizing: Planned Parenthood organizes grassroots activists to advocate for reproductive rights. The organization works with volunteers and activists across the country to build support for reproductive rights.

Planned Parenthood's advocacy for reproductive rights is essential to protecting access to reproductive healthcare. The organization's work has helped to ensure that people have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and their own lives.

Affordable healthcare

Planned Parenthood is committed to providing affordable healthcare to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. The organization offers a sliding scale fee structure, which means that patients pay what they can afford.

Sliding scale fees: Planned Parenthood offers a sliding scale fee structure for all of its services. This means that patients pay what they can afford, based on their income and family size.
Payment plans: Planned Parenthood also offers payment plans to help patients pay for their care over time. This makes it easier for patients to get the care they need, even if they don't have the money to pay for it all at once.
Insurance coverage: Planned Parenthood accepts most insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. This makes it easier for patients to get the care they need without having to pay out-of-pocket.
Financial assistance: Planned Parenthood also offers financial assistance to patients who cannot afford to pay for their care. This assistance can help patients cover the cost of their care, including the cost of travel and lodging.

Planned Parenthood's commitment to affordable healthcare ensures that everyone can get the reproductive and sexual healthcare they need, regardless of their income or insurance status.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Planned Parenthood:

Question 1: What services does Planned Parenthood offer?
Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of reproductive and sexual healthcare services, including birth control, pregnancy testing andabortion,STD testing and treatment, and cancer screenings.

Question 2: Who can get services from Planned Parenthood?
Planned Parenthood provides services to people of all ages, races, ethnicities, and income levels. The organization is committed to providing affordable healthcare to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

Question 3: Is Planned Parenthood a safe place to get an abortion?
Yes, Planned Parenthood is a safe and legal place to get an abortion. The organization has a long history of providing safe and legal abortion services, and its facilities are regularly inspected and licensed by state and local health departments.

Question 4: Does Planned Parenthood provide sex education?
Yes, Planned Parenthood provides comprehensive sex education programs for children and young adults. These programs cover a variety of topics, including anatomy, puberty, contraception, and STDs.

Question 5: Does Planned Parenthood lobby for reproductive rights?
Yes, Planned Parenthood is a leading advocate for reproductive rights. The organization works to protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, contraception, and sex education.

Question 6: How can I support Planned Parenthood?
There are many ways to support Planned Parenthood, including making a donation, becoming a volunteer, or attending a fundraiser. You can also support Planned Parenthood by contacting your elected officials and urging them to support reproductive rights.

Planned Parenthood is a vital resource for millions of people, providing essential healthcare services and advocating for reproductive rights. The organization is committed to providing affordable healthcare to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

If you have any other questions about Planned Parenthood, please visit the organization's website or contact your local Planned Parenthood health center.

In addition to the FAQ, here are some additional tips for getting the most out of Planned Parenthood's services:

Tips

Here are some tips for getting the most out of Planned Parenthood's services:

Tip 1: Make an appointment in advance. This will help you avoid long wait times and ensure that you get the care you need in a timely manner.

Tip 2: Bring your ID and insurance card with you to your appointment. This will help the staff at Planned Parenthood verify your identity and insurance coverage.

Tip 3: Be prepared to discuss your medical history with the healthcare provider. This includes any medications you are taking, any allergies you have, and any previous surgeries or medical procedures you have had.

Tip 4: Ask questions! The healthcare providers at Planned Parenthood are there to help you and answer any questions you have about your sexual and reproductive health.

Planned Parenthood is committed to providing high-quality healthcare to all of its patients. By following these tips, you can help ensure that you get the care you need.

In addition to these tips, you can also find more information about Planned Parenthood's services and how to access them on the organization's website.

Conclusion

Planned Parenthood is a leading provider of reproductive and sexual healthcare in the United States. The organization offers a wide range of services, including birth control, abortion, STD testing and treatment, and cancer screenings. Planned Parenthood also provides education and outreach programs to promote sexual health and prevent unintended pregnancy. The organization is a leading advocate for reproductive rights and access to affordable healthcare.

Planned Parenthood's work is more important than ever in today's political climate, where reproductive rights are under attack. The organization is fighting to protect access to abortion, contraception, and other essential reproductive healthcare services. Planned Parenthood is also working to ensure that everyone has access to affordable healthcare, regardless of their income or insurance status.

Planned Parenthood is a powerful force for good in the world. The organization is making a difference in the lives of millions of people, and it will continue to do so for many years to come.

If you are looking for a provider of reproductive and sexual healthcare, Planned Parenthood is a great option. The organization's health centers are safe, welcoming, and affordable. Planned Parenthood is committed to providing high-quality care to all of its patients.