Today’s news story (on the KCCI website) reports on a group “seeking to end federal funding of Planned Parenthood” at a tour stop in Des Moine, IA.
As someone trained in health policy and political analysis, when I read about these types of debates I see several features of health policy. First, some health policy issues, such as funding for abortion services or maternal health, matter a lot to some people, enough for them to gather in groups to try to influence public officials. Second, the same health care issue can be viewed from multiple perspectives that can influence a person’s policy position. For example, in this report, Planned Parenthood focuses on how:
Iowans depend on us for life saving cancer screenings, breast exams, well woman exams, family planning, STI testing and treatment, education and more. For some, Planned Parenthood nurses and doctors are the only providers they see.
The Women Speak Out tour participants focused on how:
Parents are sacrificing to provide for their children and they simply don’t want to subsidize the sex lives of teenagers through Planned Parenthood.
Finally, health policy experts study how government funding for health services or health care policies develop, including what factors affect policies that are put into place. One goal for this knowledge is to help the public and policymakers make the best possible health care policies.
