Guest Op-Ed: Planned Parenthood continues to provide care, no matter what

Once again, a group of anti-abortion activists has attacked Planned Parenthood doctors, nurses and patients with false accusations. And once again, their political allies are seizing on these accusations as an excuse to push the same dangerous agenda—ban abortion, shut down health centers and cut women off from care.

But we will never let that happen.

Planned Parenthood is the most trusted reproductive health care provider in this country, and nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our patients. Planned Parenthood of New York City has provided high-quality sexual and reproductive health services to New Yorkers for nearly 100 years, and that’s not going to change.

While anti-abortion extremists spend years attempting to make it harder for women to access the health care they need, Planned Parenthood’s caring, compassionate physicians, nurses, counselors and other providers continue to provide trusted, confidential care to everyone who walks through our doors.

Patients come to Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC) from all walks of life. And we provide them with high-quality, affordable care regardless of their age, gender identity, immigration status or ability to pay.

PPNYC provides the full range of sexual and reproductive health services, including birth control, cancer screening, STD testing and treatment, HIV testing and counseling, and abortion. We also provide sex education to young people, parents and professionals. And as the evidence has shown, making birth control more accessible and teaching comprehensive sex education are the most important factors in reducing unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion.

Every day, PPNYC works to expanded access to preventive care and birth control for New Yorkers, by providing high-quality care to 50,000 patients every year, no matter what. To our patients, coming to Planned Parenthood of New York City and having providers who they can trust and who put them at ease means everything.

We truly provide care, no matter what. The care that people receive at Planned Parenthood health centers helps millions of people plan their families and shape their futures. This is not going to change just because a group of extremists uses fraud and harassment to try to cut women off from the care they need.

Joan Malin is president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of New York City.