2008 Woodie Awards
Mid-Michigan ignored
Removing Planned Parenthood funding hurts students, region
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
The decision to reassess budget allocations to Planned Parenthood branches across the state is a mistake - mostly because it discounts the needs of the people Planned Parenthood serves in favor of a theoretical system of service-by-numbers.
Funding to several branches, including the one in Mount Pleasant at 1325 S. Mission St., is being cut. The reassignment of funds now takes into account county population, which means more funding for Planned Parenthood will be siphoned to Southeast Michigan, instead of low-populace areas like Isabella County.
But obviously this new system isn't taking into account who is served by Planned Parenthood, or how much the services are needed.
The Mount Pleasant Planned Parenthood may serve all of Isabella County, but the branch was placed in Mount Pleasant because there is need for it in Mount Pleasant. It's likely impossible to tell how many people have been served by the branch in this town - but in any college town, services like this are in demand.
Government officials behind Planned Parenthood should reevaluate the decision to cut funding to this branch and others in areas of high demand. Yes, there are more people in Southeastern Michigan, but does that mean more people are in need of those services? Not necessarily.
It sounds like a hasty decision to save money in a state budget crisis, without proper planning or evaluation.
Planned Parenthood officials have commented that the organization's donors are outraged the branches are being closed.
Students who use and rely on Planned Parenthood should be outraged as well. This is an example of government not doing what's best for its people.
But this also is an opportunity to affect change by speaking out.
Planned Parenthood in Mount Pleasant won't close until the end of the year - leaving more than two months for those students and community members who are feeling outrage at its closing to stand up and do something.
Drop by the branch on Mission to voice your disapproval. Start a petition. Donate money toward the $288,000 needed to keep the branch open. Gather support from friends and family.
This is an opportunity for Planned Parenthood's customers to make difference in what happens. Money is needed. Funding is being cut. Decisions are being made.
But the point of a representative government is that the will of the people be represented. People who disagree with those representatives have to speak out in order to make any changes.
Here's that chance.
Funding to several branches, including the one in Mount Pleasant at 1325 S. Mission St., is being cut. The reassignment of funds now takes into account county population, which means more funding for Planned Parenthood will be siphoned to Southeast Michigan, instead of low-populace areas like Isabella County.
But obviously this new system isn't taking into account who is served by Planned Parenthood, or how much the services are needed.
The Mount Pleasant Planned Parenthood may serve all of Isabella County, but the branch was placed in Mount Pleasant because there is need for it in Mount Pleasant. It's likely impossible to tell how many people have been served by the branch in this town - but in any college town, services like this are in demand.
Government officials behind Planned Parenthood should reevaluate the decision to cut funding to this branch and others in areas of high demand. Yes, there are more people in Southeastern Michigan, but does that mean more people are in need of those services? Not necessarily.
It sounds like a hasty decision to save money in a state budget crisis, without proper planning or evaluation.
Planned Parenthood officials have commented that the organization's donors are outraged the branches are being closed.
Students who use and rely on Planned Parenthood should be outraged as well. This is an example of government not doing what's best for its people.
But this also is an opportunity to affect change by speaking out.
Planned Parenthood in Mount Pleasant won't close until the end of the year - leaving more than two months for those students and community members who are feeling outrage at its closing to stand up and do something.
Drop by the branch on Mission to voice your disapproval. Start a petition. Donate money toward the $288,000 needed to keep the branch open. Gather support from friends and family.
This is an opportunity for Planned Parenthood's customers to make difference in what happens. Money is needed. Funding is being cut. Decisions are being made.
But the point of a representative government is that the will of the people be represented. People who disagree with those representatives have to speak out in order to make any changes.
Here's that chance.
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