Many good people don’t know the facts about Planned Parenthood, even many of their most loyal supporters! Some don’t realize they are the nation’s largest abortion provider. Others ask why it matters here in Louisiana, since Planned Parenthood doesn’t perform abortions locally.
Talking face-to-face? Focus on listening, finding common ground, and making your conversation personal. Online? Be clear, confident, and speak to the wider audience who may be reading. I’ve included examples of how you could respond to common misconceptions and arguments both in person and online.
Argument 1:
“Why are you against women’s healthcare? Planned Parenthood helps with STD testing, cancer screenings, and prenatal care! We can’t defund them!”
Online Response Example:
Women’s healthcare is very important. But Planned Parenthood does very little of it— only engaging in minimal and declining health services to supplement their abortion business. Women deserve medical providers in which comprehensive health care is their mission and priority. There are many health centers and pregnancy centers that offer full care—without pushing abortion. Places like FindHelpLA.com help women find trustworthy, low-cost care close to home.
In Person Response Example:
I agree with you that women’s healthcare matters a lot. That’s why I support places like [local pregnancy center/FQHC] that really care for women’s health needs. I’d love to see more support go to clinics like that, which don’t do abortions and offer more comprehensive care.
I don’t think our healthcare providers should ever engage in acts of violence against human beings. I think to do so is a betrayal of the mission of health care which is to heal human beings. When a healthcare provider engages in a procedure that intentionally kills another human they loose their credibility as a provider.
Planned Parenthood kills over 400,000 human beings a year through abortion.
Can I ask—how do you feel about abortion and Planned Parenthood’s role in it? Do you think there are better providers we could support?
Argument 2:
“I’m pro-life too, but Planned Parenthood doesn’t do abortions here—just basic healthcare. I don’t get why you want to defund them when our state needs more healthcare, not less. For me, this isn’t about abortion—it’s about helping people.”
Online Response Example:
Planned Parenthood got $1 million from Louisiana taxpayers—while spending $1 million sending women out of state for abortions. They do a few basic health services here, but most of their focus and money goes to promoting abortion.
Even on their Facebook page they said, “Make no mistake: they voted to shut down Planned Parenthood health centers to enact a backdoor abortion ban.”
They’re right that defunding is about abortion—but it’s no secret. We’ve said it from the start: Planned Parenthood puts abortion first, not healthcare, and that’s why they shouldn’t get public funding.
In Person Response Example:
I’m really glad you care about women’s health—I do too. That’s why I support funding real health clinics that offer more complete care than Planned Parenthood.
Federally Qualified Health Centers give women pap smears, cancer screenings, STD tests, prenatal care—and even things like dental care and pediatrics. They aren’t multi-billion dollar businesses like Planned Parenthood, so they’re not as well-known. But if we gave them the money Planned Parenthood gets, we could help a lot more women.
Planned Parenthood hasn’t used their money wisely. They spent $1 million sending women from Texas and Louisiana out of state for abortions. At the same time, they cut back on cancer screenings and STD tests, and increased abortions. Even The New York Times reported poor conditions, staff asking for basic supplies, bad care, and patients being silenced with legal agreements.
We have better options, lets invest in real healthcare and defund Planned Parenthood!
