A Poets View

A Planned Parenthood in Indiana is offering gift certificates for all of their health care services to include abortions and condoms.  They are offering the certificates in increments of $25.00  Their reasoning behind the offer is that in these ailing economic times that women will forgo getting health care in order to pay for more pressing matters such as putting food on the table and taking care of their families.  Many women don’t have health insurance because they cannot afford it so receiving a gift certificate for health care services would be very helpful.

Now of course, religious organizations and many others are outraged at this program.   They claim it is morally wrong that women be given money to as they put it “kill their child.”  It’s the same old argument against abortions.  Opponents also claim that it is especially disturbing to “give abortions as gifts” on the day Jesus was born.  My comment on that is simply stop using your religious beliefs to try and control everything and anything you do not like.  

I think it’s a great idea.  I know many people who would love to receive a gift certificate to pay for health care.  I see it as a service for people who would not otherwise seek preventative care.   This would also allow children from poor families to receive care.  These gift certificates would truly help so many people.  Although this is only available in Indiana right now I think it should be addressed as a national program and be available to people year round.   Your thoughts?