“In 2005, 1.2 million American women obtained abortions, producing a rate of 19.4 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age. The rate declined 9% from 2000, when the abortion rate was 21.3 abortions per 1,000 women 15-44.”
-Guttmacher Organization

In what some may call a “stunning” move, officials of Orange County, California have suspended funding for Planned Parenthood.

“I personally have a problem with government funding of an organization that provides abortion services,” said Supervisor John Moorlach, who placed the item on the agenda.

The decision to suspend the $291,788 education grant came after nearly two hours of impassioned public and board member discussion. Planned Parenthood’s curriculum includes discussions about birth control alternatives, such as types of contraception and abstinence, as well as about sexually transmitted disease.”

Planned Parenthood, a non-profit organization, has been in operation for 90 years with 97 local nationwide affiliates and 880 health centers.

Jon Dunn, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood for Orange and San Bernandino counties, denied that the Orange County funding was used for abortions:

“None of the Orange County money is used to fund abortions, said Jon Dunn, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood for Orange and San Bernandino counties”,

At the Planned Parenthood website were listings for 108 clinics which perform abortions in California. We found 8 clinics which offer abortion services: Costa Mesa, El Cajon, Mission Viejo, Orange, San Bernadino, Santa Anna, Upland, and Westminster, all of which are operated by Planned Parenthood of Orange County and San Bernadino Counties.

Dunn cited the Orange County Supervisor’s “ideology” as the reason the funding was suspended:

“It’s clear to me that the agenda of Supervisor Moorlach and the other supervisors willingness to go along with him, are driven more by a religious ideology than an articulate health policy that benefits the people of Orange County,” Dunn said.”

What was interesting to note were the comments posted at the end of the LA Times story:

“It’s not a question of religious beliefs. I don’t oppose abortion on religious grounds but I haven’t seen any proof that all the years of Planned Parenthood have done any good. We have had these types of organizations promoting safe sex rather than safe love for over 30 years and our problems have done nothing but multiply. Their approach in antiquated and ineffective.”

According to the Guttmacher Organization, in 2005, 208,430 women obtained abortions in California while the rate of abortions “declined 13% since 2000″:

“In 2005, 208,430 women obtained abortions in California, producing a rate of 27.1 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age. Some of these women were from other states, and some California residents had abortions in other states, so this rate may not reflect the abortion rate of state residents. The rate declined 13% since 2000, when it was 31.2 abortions per 1,000 women 15-44. Abortions in California represent 17.3 of all abortions in the United States.”

Another comment, from a moderate Democrat who voted for Obama, cited distinct moral “disapproval” for “taxpayer funded abortion”:

“One day, the rampant, government-sponsored, taxpayer funded abortion practices of the United States over the past 35 years will be viewed as a moral travesty that far surpasses the past scourge of slavery. For any person that has a soul, our system of abortion-for-convenience against the innocent, unborn multitudes shocks the very sensibilities of a civilized society. I am a moderate Democrat and voted for Obama but, God help us all when judgment day comes. Anyone who has actually had an abortion knows exactly what I am writing about — look at yourself in the mirror. You know it is wrong. Please don’t use my tax dollars to kill the unborn innocents whose only fault is having irresponsible parents.”

And yet, while Planned Parenthood cries foul over the Orange County decision to suspend funding, Michelle Malkin found that in 2006 the organization had a terrific year, profit-wise that is:

“In April, the annual report of Planned Parenthood Federation of America revealed that the abortion giant had a total income of $1.02 billion—with reported profits of nearly $115 million. Taxpayers kick in more than $336 million worth of government grants and contracts at both the state and federal levels. That’s a third of Planned Parenthood’s budget.

And what market-distorting results do we get for those government incentives? 289,650 abortions in 2006.”

While the head of Orange County PP pulls out the “Ideology” card and casts aspersions on the bureaucrats of Orange County, perhaps he should also be required to play the “pay” card that he’s hiding up his sleeve and tell everyone what his annual salary is, plus bonuses. Some estimates have top PP executives earnings in the six figure range. With excess profits of 115 million in 2006, Planned Parenthood should be able to take up the “slack” in Orange County and continue to extend the services it provides.

by LBG

Source - LA Times – O.C. suspends Planned Parenthood funding
Image – Planned Parenthood