Planned Parenthood
A Tainted History. An Ongoing Controversy.
Hi friends,
This information is not about abortion per se. Every person must make their own decision about that as each of us must decide about guns, vaccines, education, etc. It’s seldom cut and dried.
I, personally, am against tax dollars to fund abortions, including outside the United States. Point of interest - your tax dollars also fund ‘education’ and ‘vaccines’, two things that do apply to a large majority of Americans.
About Planned Parenthood:
Exploring Planned Parenthood: History, Controversies, and Legal Battles
Introduction
Planned Parenthood (PP), one of the most prominent healthcare providers and advocates for reproductive rights in the U.S., has been at the center of significant social and political debates for over a century. Its services, including abortion, birth control, and sexual education, have sparked fierce support and opposition. Recent allegations, as highlighted by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s calls for defunding the organization, claim unethical practices, including the alleged use of fetal tissue for profit. This article examines PP's history, its evolution, and key controversies, focusing on whistleblower David Daleiden’s undercover investigation, associated lawsuits, and the broader implications for reproductive rights and activism. Catholic News Agency published this.
1. Founding and Early History of Planned Parenthood (1916–1966)
Planned Parenthood traces its origins to Margaret Sanger’s founding of the first birth control clinic in Brooklyn, New York, in 1916. She founded the American Birth Control League (ABCL) in 1921 and was a prominent advocate for birth control and women's reproductive rights. Her motivations were multifaceted, encompassing both a desire to empower women and an adherence to the eugenics movement, which has led to significant criticism.
Association with Eugenics and Population Control
Sanger believed that birth control could serve as a means to improve societal health by limiting the reproduction of those she considered "unfit." In her 1922 book, The Pivot of Civilization, she stated:
"The lack of balance between the birth-rate of the 'unfit' and the 'fit,' admittedly the greatest present menace to civilization..." en.wikipedia.org
This perspective aligned with eugenicist ideas prevalent in the early 20th century, which aimed to control human reproduction to enhance desired traits.
Controversial Statements Regarding Race
Sanger's involvement in initiatives like "The Negro Project" has been a focal point of controversy. In a 1939 letter to Dr. Clarence Gamble, she wrote:
"We do not want word to go out that we want to exterminate the Negro population..." leg.colorado.gov
This quote has been interpreted in various ways. Some argue it reflects a strategic approach to gain trust within the Black community, while others view it as evidence of racial bias.
Early Milestones:
1916: The first clinic opened, resulting in Sanger's arrest for distributing contraceptives, sparking public debate.
1921: Sanger founded the American Birth Control League, which later became Planned Parenthood in 1942.
1936: A landmark court case (United States v. One Package) allowed doctors to prescribe contraceptives, boosting PP’s legitimacy.
Controversies:
Sanger’s association with the eugenics movement and her focus on population control have fueled criticism. While PP has since distanced itself from these views, this aspect of its early history remains contentious.
2. Evolution and Key Developments (1966–2015)
Milestones in Expansion and Advocacy:
1960s-1970s: PP became a leading advocate for abortion access, culminating in its support of Roe v. Wade (1973), which legalized abortion nationwide.
1980s-1990s: PP faced funding cuts under conservative administrations, sparking debates over the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortions.
2000s: Expansion of abortion services led to claims of unethical practices, including profit motives from procedures. PP also faced accusations of Medicaid fraud and improper handling of fetal remains.
Controversies and Legal Challenges:
PP frequently clashed with pro-life organizations like Operation Rescue, leading to lawsuits over protest activities, including Scheidler v. National Organization for Women, which debated the use of anti-racketeering laws (RICO) against pro-life activists.
Critics accused PP of using public funds for abortions, though the organization consistently defended itself by emphasizing its other healthcare services.
3. David Daleiden and the Undercover Investigation (2015–Present)
In 2015, pro-life activist David Daleiden, through the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), released a series of undercover videos alleging that PP profited from the sale of fetal tissue. The videos sparked public outrage and led to numerous investigations, lawsuits, and legislative action.
Planned Parenthood’s Defense:
PP denied illegal activity, arguing that the videos were deceptively edited and that any fetal tissue transfers were done legally and with consent. PP also maintained that tissue donations were reimbursed only for allowable costs, such as transportation.
Here’s one of the undercover videos.
Legal Battles:
Planned Parenthood v. Daleiden:
PP sued Daleiden for defamation, claiming he used illegal means (fraud and unauthorized recordings) to obtain the videos.
In 2019, a jury awarded PP $2.2 million in damages, citing violations of RICO and state privacy laws. Following the verdict, Daleiden and his co-defendants appealed the decision and lost the appeal, but the court did reverse a portion of the verdict related to the Federal Wiretap Act, resulting in a reduction of the damages by less than $100,000. reuters.com
In October 2023, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear Daleiden's appeal.
As of January 2025, there have been no public reports indicating that Daleiden and his associates have paid the awarded damages. The legal proceedings have been prolonged, with ongoing appeals and additional legal challenges… [which] can extend over several years.
Daleiden’s Defense:
Supported by the Thomas More Society, Daleiden argued that his actions were protected under whistleblower laws and the First Amendment. His defense emphasized the public’s right to know about potentially illegal practices.
Daleiden had faced felony charges in California for recording without consent, a case now settled. See the Fox News story, Undercover journalist who battled California over Planned Parenthood videos celebrates 'incredible' outcome, for the short version. See the undercover video series here.
Broader Implications:
The case has become a flashpoint in debates over free speech, journalistic ethics, and abortion rights. Pro-life advocates view Daleiden as a whistleblower exposing unethical practices, while PP and its supporters argue the investigation violated privacy and endangered healthcare providers.
4. Recent Events and Current Focus
Recent allegations of unethical practices have revived debates about PP’s funding and operations. According to a report highlighted by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, PP allegedly profited from aborted fetal tissue sales, a claim it strongly denies. Both figures have called for defunding PP, citing moral and ethical concerns.
Additional Legal Challenges:
Title X Funding: The Trump administration restricted PP’s access to federal Title X funds in 2019, requiring providers to separate abortion services from federally funded programs. The Biden administration reversed this policy in 2021.
State-Level Bans: PP has challenged restrictive abortion laws in states like Texas and Mississippi, often arguing these laws violate Roe v. Wade or subsequent precedents.
Pro-Life Lawsuits: Groups like Operation Rescue and the Susan B. Anthony List have faced countersuits for defamation and protest activities, reflecting the ongoing legal tug-of-war.
Recent government-related developments have occurred:
1. Legislative Actions:
Introduction of Defunding Bills: In January 2025, Senator Josh Hawley introduced the "End Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Providers Act," aiming to prohibit federal funding to organizations that perform or refer for abortions, including Planned Parenthood. hawley.senate.gov
2. Administrative Measures:
DOGE Initiatives: Elon Musk, leading DOGE, has implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures across federal agencies. These efforts include evaluating federal contracts and reducing funding to organizations deemed non-essential, potentially impacting Planned Parenthood's federal support. nypost.com
3. Political Developments:
Vivek Ramaswamy's Gubernatorial Campaign: In February 2025, Ramaswamy announced his candidacy for Ohio governor. Notably, he did not mention his involvement with DOGE during his campaign launch, possibly to distance himself from the controversial defunding initiatives. politico.com
4. Planned Parenthood's Response:
Public Statements: Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson criticized the defunding efforts, stating that such actions would deny essential health care to thousands and disrupt the public health system. plannedparenthood.org
These developments indicate a concerted effort across multiple government branches to reduce or eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood, accompanied by significant public discourse and political maneuvering.
5. Conclusion
Planned Parenthood’s history and operations reflect deep societal divisions over abortion aka ‘reproductive rights’. From its controversial founding to today’s legal battles, PP has been a symbol of both empowerment and controversy. Whistleblower investigations, such as David Daleiden’s, highlight the tensions between advocacy, legality, and ethics. As figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy enter the debate, PP remains a focal point in the cultural and political fight over abortion and selling fetus/baby parts for profit.
This ongoing controversy underscores the need for transparency and more education as well as balanced, informed research to navigate the complexities of law, ethics, and public health.
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