Can someone please tell me why, amidst a budgetary crisis that may well lead to a government shut down, we are having yet another debate about abortion. The Hyde Amendment already prevents federal funding of abortion, so there’s nothing to debate here. Federal money to Planned Parenthood can only be used for birth control, pap tests, breast exams and other medical procedure. If the Republicans want to defund Planned Parenthood because they oppose birth control, pap tests, and breast exams, why not just stand up and say so. Pretending this stance against Planned Parenthood has anything to do with abortion is nonsense and they know it. If anything, a reduction in funding for birth control will increase the number of abortions.

When I was a graduate student, Planned Parenthood was the only medical care I could afford. And I know my story is quite common. So my message to Republicans and their supporters is this: if you’re so obsessed with abortion that you can’t stop talking about it, try to pass a law to get it outlawed. But keep your hands off of the means-tested medical care that keeps young graduate students from getting cervical and breast cancer.