Record Abortion Numbers At Planned Parenthood in 2019
By Natasha Smith
Planned Parenthood released its annual report from 2019-2020. It shows an increase in abortions, up 3 percent from the previous year. The organization now accounts for 41 percent of abortions in the United States. Here are five key takeaways from the report.
Abortions Increased
Planned Parenthood performed 354,871 total abortions in 2020. That’s more than the total population of Anaheim, Calif., the 10th largest city in the state. To put it another way, this amount of people could fill Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in America, three times over and still have 32,068 fans without seats.
Record-High Government Funding
The federal government provides 38 percent of Planned Parenthood’s revenue. In 2019-20 tax-payer contributions to Planned Parenthood increased by $1.3 million from last year — up by $63.5 million dollars from five years ago. Planned Parenthood, received a total of $618.1 million in 2020, a new record of government support.
Social Media Influence
Planned Parenthood has 20 different social media accounts used to target different audiences. This includes accounts with messaging specifically geared toward black and Latino communities. Social media influence on attitudes regarding abortion cannot be underestimated. In 2020, one out of every six female clients at Planned Parenthood had an abortion, and black women are five times more likely to have an abortion than white women.
In fact, The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that black women account for the largest percentage (38%) of abortions in the United States, yet only 13 percent of the total U.S. population is black.
Planned Parenthood Political Action
Each year, Planned Parenthood and its political arm – the Planned Parenthood Action Fund — work to overturn pro-life bills introduced at state levels. Their report notes they currently have “three dozen open cases challenging laws, policies, or government actions” on abortion. These cases include blocking Georgia and Tennessee’s six-week abortion bans.
Planned Parenthood’s 2019-2020 report also notes it lobbied against a Louisiana law that required doctors who performed abortions to have admitting privileges to hospitals within 30 miles of the abortion clinic in case of medical complications. The Louisiana case, June Medical Services vs. Russo, went to the Supreme Court and, in a blow to pro-life efforts, was ultimately struck down.
Prenatal Care and Adoption Referrals Down
According to Planned Parenthood’s report, prenatal care dropped by 12 percent, and adoption referrals dropped nearly 38 percent.
In 2020 they provided 8,626 prenatal services and 354,871 abortions. That means there are 41 abortions for every one prenatal care service and 133 abortions for every adoption referral.
Pregnancy Centers Providing Real Care
In contrast, pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) have not decreased their services to women at all. In fact, they increased the amount of free support to women in their communities in 2019-2020. A new report from the pro-life research group, The Charlotte Lozier Institute, found that PRCs offer a wealth of services to their communities.
According to the report, “2,700 pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide served almost two million people in 2019, at an estimated value of nearly $270 million.”
In addition, they also provided these vital services:
- Almost 732,000 pregnancy tests
- More than 486,000 free ultrasounds
- 160,200 STI/STD tests
- 291,000+ clients attended parenting and prenatal education programs
- More than 21,000 clients received after-abortion support
- More than 881,000 students attended sexual risk avoidance education presentations
- Nearly 1.3 million packs of diapers distributed
- More than two million baby outfits given away
Pregnancy centers ensure women are cared for no matter what they choose. With after-abortion counseling, ultrasounds, educational classes, and material supplies – all at no cost to the client – pregnancy centers make sure women know they’re truly supported.
Read stories of women who received care and help from pregnancy centers around the nation.
