The N&O is reporting today that Elizabeth Dole, along with 12 other Republicans, is seeking to cut federal funding for the abortion provider Planned Parenthood. According to the article, Planned Parenthood receives $300 million in federal funding each year. Of course, the N&O neglected to mention that the taxpayers of North Carolina are also funding Planned Parenthood. In FY2006 alone, Planned Parenthood received more than $389,000 in state subsidies. According to the Office of the State Auditor, Planned Parenthood of Central North Carolina received $184,250 in state funding; Planned Parenthood Health Systems received $136,078 in state funding; and Planned Parenthood of Pender County received $69,023.
All this raises an interesting question: If Americans are as committed to defending “choice” as Planned Parenthood says they are, why can’t Planned Parenthood turn a profit? Why do they need state and federal funding to survive?
Apparently, they don’t. On the one hand, Planned Parenthood is a very profitable enterprise. For FY2006, the pro-abortion organization reported a gross income of more than $900 million and an annual profit in excess of $55 million. This annual profit, however, includes more than $300 million in taxpayer support. Viewed in a different light, PP’s net profit is a net loss of $250 million.
In any case, the fact remains that if Americans are really committed to subsidizing abortion then Planned Parenthood should be able to make it on its own. And if Planned Parenthood can’t make it without federal and state subsidies, then clearly Americans aren’t buying what PP is peddling — and so shouldn’t be forced to support an industry that is not only abhorrent, but not even profitable.
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