Planned Parenthood attacks counterproductive and ignorant

Iowa lawmakers passed a bill that included a block to Planned Parenthood from receiving two types of federal grands that fund sex education programs in Iowa. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the measure into law. While Planned Parenthood is no stranger to political attacks, this is not only unnecessary, but completely ignorant.

Planned Parenthood provides sex education to nearly 40,000 youth and adults across Iowa and,

contrary to what many of our senators believe, this does not include promoting abortion

services. If Planned Parenthood intended to profit from abortion services, they wouldn't go

through the tedious process of applying for federal grants to provide prevention services, but they do. They wouldn't distribute free condoms in their clinics and communities, but they do.

They also wouldn't provide education to thousands of Iowans on contraceptive options, but they do.

As a former patient and public health professional, I'm outraged by the lack of common sense

among our elected officials. It's completely unacceptable for policymakers to pass senseless

legislation to serve their personal or religious agendas. Regardless of your stance on abortion, I think everyone can agree that preventing unintended pregnancies is the preferred situation.

Taking sex education away from thousands of Iowans certainly will not accomplish that goal.

Tessa Allred

Tiffin