Congressman’s vote undermines health of the poor

Alvin Langer, Henderson

Friday, Feb. 25, 2011 | 2:01 a.m.

As a retired obstetrician/gynecologist and medical educator, I am disappointed with Nevada Rep. Joe Heck’s vote to discontinue funding of Planned Parenthood. It showed a lack of understanding of the important role that Planned Parenthood plays in women’s health.

Although some affiliates may perform abortions, many (perhaps most) do not and in fact see their mission to include decreasing the number of abortions by preventing unwanted pregnancies.

In addition, many women who cannot afford private medical care are provided with such preventive measures as Pap smears, follow-up of abnormal smears, screening for sexually transmitted diseases, breast exams, etc.

If Planned Parenthood has to resort only to patients paying what they can afford plus charitable giving by individuals supporting its mission, then surely they will have to cut back on services offered.

And if the organization cannot offer prevention services to all who request and need such, then we can expect increased numbers of pregnancies among teenagers and poor families as well as increased numbers of back alley abortions and more medical conditions that could have been treated before becoming very serious. Certainly that is not a way to help reduce the deficit.

In the expectation that a physician would understand the value of providing such services, I can only conclude that Heck’s vote was based on ideology and not compassion or what is the best health care for his constituents.

The writer is a former board member of a Planned Parenthood affiliate in Ohio.