The Guttmacher Institute has completed a study that suggests Planned Parenthood needs more money. The American Life League, in response, calls the study a "well-timed and self-serving sales pitch" for the abortion provider.
The Guttmacher Institute is a research arm of Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion-provider in the U.S. According to the study -- entitled "Next Steps for America's Family Planning Program" -- the national family planning program annually prevents almost two-million "unintended pregnancies" that statistically would otherwise result in 860,000 "unintended births," 810,000 abortions, and 270,000 miscarriages.
The lead author of the study argues that every dollar spent on "family planning" saves taxpayers $4 in costs associated with unintended births to mothers eligible for Medicaid-funded natal care. "The national family planning program is smart government at its best," states Rachel Benson Gold.
Judie Brown, co-founder of American Life League, says she is amused by the latest Guttmacher study because they play Congress like a violin.
"They always have some new finding that supports their request for more and more taxpayer dollars," says the long-time pro-life activist. "And they are literally parroting what Nancy Pelosi already said when she made that horrible gaffe and suggested that millions of dollars had to be poured into 'family planning' if we are to ever stop the financial crisis in America. It was outrageous when she said it -- and their report is equally as outrageous." (See related story)
Planned Parenthood made a $114 million profit in 2006-2007, so the agency's coffers are loaded. Brown says that money could be put to good use.
"In fact, we're issuing a public statement in which we're asking Planned Parenthood to donate $114 million for programs that would empower the poor...instead of sterilizing them," she notes.
Brown hopes the public will take the Guttmacher Institute study with a grain of salt. And that's exactly what Joseph Scheidler is doing. Scheidler, founder of the Pro-Life Action League, says the Guttmacher Institute apparently thinks that people -- particularly those in the lower-income brackets -- are the greatest drain on the nation's resources.
"Even in difficult economic times, the United States is a land of opportunity for people of all income levels," he says in a press release. "It is not appropriate for government to be in the business of providing birth control, which only serves to promote risky, irresponsible behavior."
Scheidler adds that Guttmacher's particular application of "family planning" to the poor "smacks of racism."
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