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Funding Planned Parenthood helps reduce the need for abortions

A Planned Parenthood supporter and opponent try to block each other’s signs during a protest and counter-protest on Feb. 11, 2017 in St. Louis.
A Planned Parenthood supporter and opponent try to block each other’s signs during a protest and counter-protest on Feb. 11, 2017 in St. Louis. Jim Salter The Associated Press

Planned Parenthood spends about 3 percent of its budget to provide abortions. Most of the rest is for health care services such as counseling, contraception, sex education and family planning, which reduce the need for abortions.

If House Speaker Paul Ryan and his conservative followers were truly opposed to abortions and could think rationally, they would increase federal support of Planned Parenthood, not try to cut it.

Ken Shamordola, Nipomo

This story was originally published March 3, 2017 at 7:59 PM with the headline "Funding Planned Parenthood helps reduce the need for abortions."

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