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I would like a cogent reason from anyone why we should deny federal funding to Planned Parenthood. Tax money is not used to fund abortions. All federal dollars are used to provide contraception, cancer screening, treatment of STDs and other health services.

The Planned Parenthood goal is to reduce abortions by providing education and contraceptive services. Why not support this goal? Family planning is not just a woman’s issue, it affects the entire family and society as a whole. Planning a family is more important than planning a career or any other decision. When people can choose how many children to have and when to have them, both they and their children can have broader opportunities.

Financially, providing contraception at a low cost is beneficial to both families and the government, as paying for the costs of increased poverty must be factored in. Health screening services save money, too, as problems are detected and treated earlier.

Whether one is pro-choice or pro-life, the reasonable course is to keep funding and defending Planned Parenthood. To roll progress back 50 years is a travesty.

Call Rep. Raul Labrador’s office (202)225-6611 and tell him to vote no on defunding Planned Parenthood.

ANN WARWICK

Sandpoint