In 2011, Kansas reduced its funding of Planned Parenthood, diverting the funds to health clinics and pregnancy support grants. The bill was introduced by Gov. Sam Brownback and passed through the Kansas Senate with a 28-10 vote and the Kansas House with an 86-30 vote.

In response to this, the United States Congress has removed up to $370,000 from funding to Kansas’ Title X, which is a “family planning” grant. According to medical providers, this cut in funds is making it more difficult for women to attain birth control, cancer screenings and other reproductive health options.

Planned Parenthood is an organization that began in 1916 under the direction of Margret Sanger. The primary focus of this organization is to provide birth control and reproductive services to woman, such as breast and cervical screenings, HIV testing, counseling and abortions. Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization and receives most of its funding from the government with the amount of funds being different in each state.

Many conservative leaning states disagree with abortion, which makes up about three percent of Planned Parenthood’s services, and have taken steps to defund the organization. Senators like Ted Cruz from Texas want to defund the organization completely.

“An organization that generates a large part of its revenue from terminating innocent human life should not receive one penny of taxpayer money and those who engage in what may be criminal activity must be held to account,” Cruz said.

Other states believe that having the option of an abortion should be a woman’s right. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont said that he would defend Planned Parenthood and that he fully supports the organization.

Washburn has numerous individuals and organizations alike that deal with civil rights issues. One of these organizations is Students Together Advocating Non-violence in Dating. STAND is an organization that advocates for social justice on campus and in the community, and they are affiliated with the Women and Gender Studies department at Washburn.

Megan Smith, vice president of STAND, believes that Planned Parenthood is a very supportive organization that provides comprehensive care for women including sexual education and birth-control.

Smith also said she does not agree with Kansas’s decision to take away Planned Parenthood’s family planning money and noted that a lot of women rely on the services that the organization provides.

“I hope that more people will pay attention to this issue and see that Planned Parenthood is an excellent provider of care,” Smith said.