By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
During the season when most of the world is celebrating new life, Planned Parenthood of Indiana is coming under fire for offering holiday gift certificates that can be used for everything from birth control to abortion.
“Why not buy a loved one a gift this holiday season that they really need,” says Betty Cockrum, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana in a press release. “The gift certificates are also a wonderful idea for that person in your life who puts everyone else first.”
The certificates are available in $25 increments and can be used for everything from birth control to HIV screenings to abortions.
In an attempt to defend the certificates, Chrystal Struben-Hall, Vice President of Planned Parenthood of Indiana told Indianaplis’ WISH-TV that “ “People are making really tough decisions about putting gas in their car and food on their table, so we know that many women especially put healthcare at the bottom of their list to do.”
When asked if the certificates can be used for abortions, Struben-Hall said yes, but pointed out that this was not the purpose of the gift certificates.
“They really are intended for preventative healthcare. We decided not to put restrictions on the gift certificates so it’s for whatever people feel they need the services for most.”
Pro-Life groups across the nation are denouncing the certificates, calling them a mockery of the holiday season.
“The tragedy is that almost 6,000 fewer children will be celebrating a first Christmas this year because they were aborted in Planned Parenthood’s Indiana clinics,” said Mike Fichter, president and CEO of Indiana Right to Life.
Indiana Family Institute President Curt Smith said he is also appalled by the certificates.
“I think the way to help family planning is to give the money where there’s no agenda. So if somebody wants to help a woman at a time of crisis, they can support the life centers throughout Indiana,” said Smith.
Spokeswoman Diane Quest of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America said the Indiana branch is among a handful of its 99 affiliates that are currently offering the gift certificates or have done so in the past.
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