I am dismayed to see The Herald quoting a statement made by Ed Mohs at the budget forum held by Gov. Gregoire last week. (Thursday article, “Gregoire hears from 400 on budget at EvCC forum” and Monday letter, “Defund Planned Parenthood.”)
The statement Mr. Mohs made about defunding Planned Parenthood to save the state millions of dollars is absolutely not true. What is true is that Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics save the state millions of dollars in unplanned pregnancy costs. To be precise, for every state dollar invested in family planning services such as birth control, Washington saves $4.39 in pregnancy care costs, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Funding Planned Parenthood, and family planning in general, is one of the most common-sense approaches the state can take to balancing our budget.
The theme of the budget forum was about efficiency and essentials, both being qualities of Planned Parenthood. Not only does Planned Parenthood save the state money, it offers vital and basic health care services. These services include annual exams, birth control, and breast and cervical cancer screenings that individuals in our community rely upon, especially in recessionary times.
Amanda L. Reykdal
Everett
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