A group of local San Diegans rallied outside the Planned Parenthood on 1st Avenue in Downtown Saturday in support of the healthcare provider.
“I think the attacks on them recently are atrocious and the attempts to defund them are not right,” Kali Gochmanosky, a supporter at the rally said. “We are in support of Planned Parenthood and all the health services they provide. They’re a huge health service provider to men and women for things like Pap Smears, breast exams, STD testing.”
House Republicans passed two bills September 18 that would defund Planned Parenthood if it didn’t stop performing abortions except in the case of incest, rape, and threat of life of the mother.
This came after questionable videos were released last summer alleging Planned Parenthood is selling body parts of aborted fetuses.
“Planned Parenthood has made all the difference in my life,” Gochmanosky said. “They were there for me for my healthcare from 15 on. So anytime I didn’t have health insurance I knew I could still go there and get healthcare, get taken care of for any issues that I was having. And it always made me feel extremely safe and comforted to know that I could go there.”
Senate Democrats blocked Republican legislation Tuesday prohibiting most late-term abortions, the second time since this summer's release of videos that they've derailed an abortion-related bill by Republicans.
According to Planned Parenthood in 2013 they performed 10.6 million medical procedures for 2.7 million people across the county, and 78% of their clients have incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. 42% of their services in 2013 went to STD testing and prevention.
