Planned Parenthood faces accusations, criticism

USA (MNN) — Family planning organization Planned Parenthood has some big questions to answer.

A video released by the Center of Medical Progress (CMP) is the basis of accusations that Planned Parenthood sells tissues and organs from infants aborted at their clinics.

“This type of thing is just not in the best interest of women,” says Colleen Geisel, the Executive Director of Alpha Women’s Center.

Planned Parenthood exposed

In CMP’s video, two actors posing as employees of a procurement company discuss the sale of fetal tissue with Dr. Deborah Nucatola, the Senior Director of Medical Services for the nation’s top abortion provider.

Controversy came hot on the heels of the video’s release; what follows is part of an official statement obtained by LifeNews.org:

“In healthcare, patients sometimes want to donate tissue to scientific research that can help lead to medical breakthroughs, treatments, and cures for serious diseases. Women at Planned Parenthood who have abortions are no different,” said Planned Parenthood exec Eric Ferraro in the statement.

“There is no financial benefit for tissue donation for either the patient or Planned Parenthood. In some instances, actual costs, such as the cost to transport tissue to leading research centers, are reimbursed, which is standard across the medical field.”

Dr. Nucatola tells actors in CMP’s video that the average payment Planned Parenthood receives from researchers or procurement companies for fetal tissue ranges from $30 to $100 per patient, though different locations have different rates.

“They want to come to a number that doesn’t look like they’re making money,” Dr. Nucatola said.

“At the end of the day, they’re a non-profit…they want to break even. And if they can do a little better than break even, and do so in a way that seems reasonable, they’re happy to do that.”

Ferraro’s rebuttal to Dr. Nucatola’s statements wasn’t enough to reassure Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal.

The Republican presidential contender told Breitbart News, “I have instructed Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals to conduct an immediate investigation into this alleged evil and illegal activity and to not issue any licenses until this investigation is complete.

“I am also asking the FBI to assist DHH in investigating this alleged criminal activity by this organization.”

As explained here, the video is part of CPM’s wider investigative journalism project titled “Human Capital.” The focus of this project isn’t bashing women who choose abortion or those who provide it, but rather uncovering truth and bringing lawbreakers to justice.

Nonetheless, both women who’ve had abortions in the past and women facing an unexpected pregnancy today often feel cornered and judged by society at-large.

“A lot of our clients just feel that they don’t have a choice, that their circumstances in life put them in a place where abortion seems like the only option,” shares Geisel.

That’s where Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Alpha Women’s Center comes along with compassionate care.

Finding other options

Alpha’s staff walks alongside women facing unexpected pregnancies and helps them explore their options. Part of that involves “meeting” their baby through a free ultrasound.

“We have about an 80-percent ‘change in heart’,” Geisel states.

“About four out of five women that come in abortion-minded, or vulnerable, really do change their [mind] once they see that baby on the screen.”

Soon-to-be moms aren’t the only ones affected.

“Sometimes, we’ll even have fathers in the room who will cry, or will apologize to their partner and just say, ‘I’m so sorry that I even considered this for you,'” says Geisel.

Alpha’s care doesn’t end in the ultrasound room. They offer multiple free programs, from mentoring to GED classes. The Gospel is woven into each one.

“The basis of everything we do is a model of Jesus, in the fact that He not only fed the hungry, He gave people Himself,” says Geisel. “In the name of Jesus, we try to walk alongside women in their most critical point of need.”

Showing the compassion of Christ often leads to conversations about who He is.

“We try to really care for the needs of the whole woman and embrace her like Jesus did, and oftentimes people want what we have,” Geisel shares.

There are many ways YOU can get involved, whether you live near Grand Rapids or not.

PRAY

Please pray for women facing an unexpected pregnancy. Pray that they will encounter someone who can point them to Christ and His love for them and the little life growing inside them.

Pray that the truth about what value God has given to life will be revealed.

GIVE

Alpha doesn’t receive funding from taxpayers, so they need help from givers to keep their programs going.

They’re launching a new Web site today, and their online donation page likely has a new home! Therefore, if you’d like to help out, call Alpha’s main office at (616)459-9955 to find out the best way to donate online.

Or, you can visit AlphaWC.org if you’d like to find it for yourself.

GO

If you live near Grand Rapids and want to get involved, volunteers are always needed. There are tons of opportunities, from mentors to class facilitators to security.

Just call Alpha’s main office at the number above and ask for either Ruth Gillesse or Abigail Gilliland.