Indiana clinics offer gift certificates for birth control

[TitsMcGee]

INDIANAPOLIS-- At the Planned Parenthood of Indiana, 'tis the season of giving health care and contraception. But it's a sentiment that opponents of abortion and artificial birth control say denigrates the holiday season.

The network of 35 clinics across the state announced it is offering holiday vouchers for basic health care services "or the recipient's choice of birth control method."

The organization decided to offer the vouchers because so many people are uninsured or are putting off health care because of prohibitive costs, said Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana. Nearly 800,000 Indiana residents don't have health insurance, she said.

Planned Parenthood's annual exams for women, which include Pap tests and breast exams, typically cost $58. The vouchers can be used for the exams, but also for insurance co-payments and for medication.

Opponents of abortion said Planned Parenthood was making a "mockery" of the holiday season.

"The tragedy is that almost 6,000 fewer children will be celebrating a first Christmas this year because they were aborted in Planned Parenthood's Indiana clinics," said Mike Fichter, president and CEO of Indiana Right to Life.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana operates abortion clinics in Indianapolis, Merrillville and Bloomington.

"They deserve coal in their stocking, not money for lethal gift certificates," said Sister Diane Carollo, director of the Office for Pro-Life Ministry for the Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

But Cockrum said the vouchers were about giving basic health care, and potentially lifesaving care.

"Birth control is the best way to avoid unintended pregnancy. Avoiding unintended pregnancy is the best way to reduce abortion" rates, Cockrum said. She added that her organization performs abortions on only about 5,000 of the 92,000 patients it sees annually. It dispenses more than 500,000 units of birth control each year including pills, condoms, diaphragms, spermacides and morning-after pills, spokeswoman Kate Shepherd said.

Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe applauded the idea, calling it "really a meaningful gift."

Spokeswoman Diane Quest of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America said the Indiana branch is among a handful of its 99 affiliates that currently offer gift certificates or have done so in the past.

The gift certificates can be purchased in increments of $25 online or for any dollar amount at some Planned Parenthood of Indiana health centers.

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I think this is a brilliant idea, offering a gift certificate for annual exams. I mean how many women forgo that each year because they cannot afford it, which can lead to complications later.

[Msterbeau]

Opponents of artificial birth control.

[Oh_My_Goth]

"The tragedy is that almost 6,000 fewer children will be celebrating a first Christmas this year because they were aborted in Planned Parenthood's Indiana clinics," said Mike Fichter, president and CEO of Indiana Right to Life.

Out of those hose 6,000 children how many would have really had a great Christmas

[Msterbeau]

Out of those hose 6,000 children how many would have really had a great Christmas

And how many wouldn't have been conceived if they had artificial birth control?

If they oppose it personally, that's fine, but don't make it seem like it's wrong for everyone.

[freydis]

Out of those hose 6,000 children how many would have really had a great Christmas

Didnt read this part?

"Birth control is the best way to avoid unintended pregnancy. Avoiding unintended pregnancy is the best way to reduce abortion" rates, Cockrum said. She added that her organization performs abortions on only about 5,000 of the 92,000 patients it sees annually. It dispenses more than 500,000 units of birth control each year including pills, condoms, diaphragms, spermacides and morning-after pills, spokeswoman Kate Shepherd said.

I still think this state (Indiana) is an armpit, however.

And gift certificates for the pill? Oh god..... *facepalm*

Nothing says "you need to cross your legs more often" like someone giving you the pill for free for Christmas.

"Merry Christmas! I think you're a slut!"

*facepalm*

[TitsMcGee]

I still think this state (Indiana) is an armpit, however.

And gift certificates for the pill? Oh god..... *facepalm*

Nothing says "you need to cross your legs more often" like someone giving you the pill for free for Christmas.

"Merry Christmas! I think you're a slut!"

*facepalm*

Omg that was great.

[Oh_My_Goth]

Didnt read this part?

I still think this state (Indiana) is an armpit, however.

And gift certificates for the pill? Oh god..... *facepalm*

Nothing says "you need to cross your legs more often" like someone giving you the pill for free for Christmas.

"Merry Christmas! I think you're a slut!"

*facepalm*

I read the whole thing.....

What's the problem with what I said?

[taysteewonderbunny]

I read the whole thing.....

What's the problem with what I said?

I think they misunderstood what I already know about you, that you SUPPORT a woman's right to CHOOSE and are NOT against birth control or abortion. I think someone thought that you would have rather the aborted fetuses had a chance at a merry Christmas---not that their Christmases would NOT have been very merry anyway if they were so unwanted.

[Rev.Reverence]

I think they misunderstood what I already know about you, that you SUPPORT a woman's right to CHOOSE and are NOT against birth control or abortion. I think someone thought that you would have rather the aborted fetuses had a chance at a merry Christmas---not that their Christmases would NOT have been very merry anyway if they were so unwanted.

This is O_M_G.....Pirating Rev's spot for a moment.....

That's pretty much what I was saying.

&

"+1" -Rev

[TygerLili]

I understand why some people are opposed to abortion, but people who are opposed to birth control f***ing piss me off.

In one way, I think this is a good idea; but how horrible would it be to actually give this to someone as a Christmas present? If someone gave me one of these for Christmas, I'd have a hard time not being offended. It basically implies either 1) I think you're loose, or 2) I'm going to pry into your personal business where I don't belong.

Opponents of abortion said Planned Parenthood was making a "mockery" of the holiday season.

As far as making a "mockery" of the holiday season goes, I think we've long since crossed that line. Has anyone been to a mall lately?

*edited because there was an extra word in my sentence*

[Rev.Reverence]

And gift certificates for the pill? Oh god..... *facepalm*

Nothing says "you need to cross your legs more often" like someone giving you the pill for free for Christmas.

"Merry Christmas! I think you're a slut!"

*facepalm*

(Not debating or anything...just a factual rant I was inspired to.)

...sometimes.....the truth hurts...

...sometimes...girls would have had it in their best interests to close their legs...

...sometimes...the condom breaks...& it is no ones fault...sometimes...the ass hole wearing it doesn't care it broke..& shoots his stuff anyways..(& uses the excuse that it broke)......sometimes...the chick LIES about being on the pill..(I count that as theft)...sometimes..the girl sais tat the Doctor told her she would never conceive...(doctors DO NOT talk like that {in absolutes} for legal reasons.).....sometimes...there is no condom..& the action is too hot..& she wants it..& he's to pussy-whipped & drunk to know what he is doin'...

...FURTHERMORE, on a different page from the same "book"...

I don't want to seem like an Elitist-Ass...(I am an Elite-Goat)...but WHY...is not enough focus is put on the dudes in this problem.....they are a FULL-HALF of the equation....Though I rarely hear about them...I just think it is a shame (or a sham) that they are not taught you DON'T cum in a girl...you just fuckin' DON'T DO IT! (the only times that you cum in a girl are when YOU & HER ARE MAKING A CHILD (OR the next 10 months).....SHE gives up the BUTT.....You are FRIENDS with Aunt Flow.....& in her mouth.).......IN ADDENDUM TO THIS RULE...NO ONE method(s) are 100% effectual...

but I have been sexin' for a good 15 years...& have not had any "accidents"...a few times I lacked proper judgment skills...but did what I did informed & knowingly...NOT on ACCIDENT.

(I hear allot about "ACCIDENTS"...

It is apparent that Young Men in this country are NOT being educated properly on how to dispose of their "funn juice"...do we blame the parents? the schools?

[Rev.Reverence]

As far as making a "mockery" of the holiday season goes, I think we've long since crossed that line. Has anyone been to a mall lately?

I can only go to a Mall for ABOUT a half an hour....then I gotta' leave.

[SaGa]

the tin-hat im wearing remembers how planned parenthood has possible connections to eugenics and elitist control.

[freydis]

I think they misunderstood what I already know about you, that you SUPPORT a woman's right to CHOOSE and are NOT against birth control or abortion. I think someone thought that you would have rather the aborted fetuses had a chance at a merry Christmas---not that their Christmases would NOT have been very merry anyway if they were so unwanted.

What she said.

Now i know.