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Planned Parenthood, State Health Agency at Odds

Reported by: Jackie Orozco

Email: JOrozco@abc24.com

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Published: 2/02/2012 9:42 pm

Updated: 2/03/2012 7:38 am

MEMPHIS, TN— Planned Parenthood branches across Tennessee are fighting back. They're going to court to stop the state health department from pulling tens of thousands of dollars in funding for HIV and STD testing. Planned Parenthood in the Memphis area lost more than $150,000. One Memphis woman says if it wasn't for Planned Parenthood's free services she would be dead.

"In the past I've had precancerous polyps so I wouldn't have known if it wasn't for Planned Parenthood. I could hypothetically be dead of cancer right now,” said Carley Fritz.

Fritz, a 27-year-old Memphis native, has no job, no income, and no health insurance. She says Planned Parenthood has literally been a lifesaver.

"Low income people like me need something," Fritz said.

For more than a decade she's taken advantage of the free health care services provided by the organization. Planned Parenthood also provides HIV and STD testing.

"Over 50-percent of the syphilis cases in the state of Tennessee are in Shelby County," said Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region CEO Barry Chase. “Shelby County leads the way in the number of HIV cases."

But without the state funding, Carley Fritz was forced to borrow money from her grandmother to pay for recent tests.

“My annual exam with my pap was $53 and that was with proof of income, without proof of income it would’ve been $153," said Fritz.

Planned Parenthood in Memphis filed an injunction in hopes of stopping the Tennessee Health Department from cutting needed funding.

"The state had determined essentially that Shelby County is not important," Chase told abc24 news.

Fritz, like many other struggling residents, is angry politicians are making the cuts based on the fact that Planned Parenthood provides abortions.

"To make someone's health a political manner takes the humanity out of health,” said Fritz.

A spokeswoman from the state health department says she wouldn’t comment because they haven seen a copy of the lawsuit. ABC24 News emailed her a copy and said she wouldn't comment while it’s still under ligation.

Money, Planned Parenthood, Tennessee

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ReligionStinks - 2/6/2012 7:35 AM

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Keep up the good fight, Planned Parenthood! THINKING people are behind you. The anti-choice nuts (who are obsessed with fetuses but don't really give a damn about actual children) will eventually be relegated to the trash heap of history where they belong.

LadyJ68 - 2/4/2012 4:08 AM

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Cindy, just saw your other post. When one must feed thier family they do whatever necessary. People in Los Angeles and other major cities frequently spend two hours in traffic EACH way every single stinkin day. My father-in-law does just that and he is in his sixties! If my husband can spend an hour in traffic each way and work a double to pay for us then these people can contribute SOMETHING in four years. There are very few people that cannot do anything. If it isn't Ms. Fritz it is someone else that could do something about their plight. Individuals like Carpathium and Ms. Fritz though seem to think they are the only people in existance and that someone owes them something. People like you want privacy and pro-lifers out of your bedroom, but don't think you should stay out of our pocketbooks. You have your freedom to seek abortions...my husband served his coutry so you could. But I and many others would like freedom to remain free of conscience and that means not funding your abortion. Why is that so hard for you to understand?

LadyJ68 - 2/4/2012 3:56 AM

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Oh, and, Mr. Corpathium, this is America. If immigrants, some uneducated can find a way into this country and build a life, start a business, further their education, etc, then you can do SOMETHING, too. I have known some that cut lawns, wash dogs, do grocery runs, etc. to start a business. Some have aimed higher, and taken advantage of business opportunities far more large scale that I would have thought impossible. Go back to school. If you are not wealthy it is probably free for you with grants. If you can afford it then it is your own responsibility. Are you a volunteer? Do you provide service to your community? Do that for a year or two then voila! You will have a new solid job reference. When BK hires ex-convicts, you can do something to contribute to your existance.

LadyJ68 - 2/4/2012 3:48 AM

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Cindy, you must have fallen upon the wrong page. Who spoke of abstaining? Mr Corpathium, Regarding your comment: "I personally think it should be completely free - if funding allowed such a thing. Don't whine about paying more money than someone without a job, until you yourself have spent a large amount of time without one yourself. Walk a mile in their shoes, if you will." Nothing is free. Understand that EVERYTHING comes at a cost to someone. FUNDING is funded by those that WORK. My husband is a military veteran. He fought so that you would have rights no doubt. However, let us NOT confuse rights to services with access to "free" services. Whine? You sir are whining. You are acting as if nothing is your own fault and that becasue life dealt you a blow, that all should suffer. My husband retired from the military, finished college while working two jobs, and regularly works double shifts at his current job. He does this so that our family may have access to medical care, food, a home, etc. WHICH, BTW, our home has INSURANCE which we pay for and we also pay taxes on said home therefore we have PAID for our Fire Department. So let me flip this for you. Until you are working 80 hours a week to provide for a family that you are responsible for while also being forced to fund individuals that refuse to step-up...then YOU need to stop the whining becasue you have no idea what others do so that irresponsible people can get by. I will disclaim that I have no problem with society's call to care for the downtrodde, but the non-stop abuse of such charity is what is truly sick.

cindy07 - 2/3/2012 11:08 AM

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Right, let's back go the days when the monied elite could have safe abortions and most knew nothing of it; the less fortunate used back alley doctors (talk about butchering) and those simply poor either had more mouths to feed or a dead mother to mourn!! Turn back the clock so that there is no birth control or care for indigent women? NOT!! How sick can some of these writers be? The fact that I don't believe I'd ever have an abortion doesn't mean I don't need and want every available means at my option to avoid pregnancy in the first place, not to mention a confidential way to test for STDs. Don't talk about abstinence because while most if us practice it most of the time, we are all prone to the occasional fall; all it takes is one misstep and the deed is done!!

FF717 - 2/3/2012 10:26 AM

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Planned Parenthood of Memphis' new slogan should be "Sure We've Butchered Over A Thousand Babies a month for years, but we've helped save 8 women from cancer!"

Golden Taint - 2/3/2012 8:55 AM

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So, sounds like this Carley Fritz lady hasn't worked a day in her entire life. She's 27 and she's been going to the free clinic for 10 years, and in 10 years time, she hasn't managed to save up $50. . . She should be ashamed to take money from her grandmother. How in the hell can you be 27 and not even have $50 to your name? There are poor people, and then there are worthless people.

Corpathium - 2/3/2012 8:43 AM

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@LadyJ68 I know Ms. Fritz personally. I also lived in Memphis for 5 years myself. Certain extenuating circumstances can prevent someone from landing ANY job whatsoever. For me, it was being fired for a minor infraction from the first job I ever had in my life. Spent 4 years after that jobless, and doing my best to survive. Estimated 25% unemployment in the city alone. Also, the Memphis bus system isn't spectacular - once again, speaking from experience. As for the funding, Terrorist threats arn't technically affecting you personally, so why should you have to fund it? For that matter, has your house ever burned down? Might as well toss out the Fire Department too, as it's no big issue for you....but the point is, it might be, in the future. I personally wouldn't enjoy Planned Parenthood closing their doors regardless of the reasoning behind it. I'm a man, and I'm all for women getting all of these benefits, and I personally think it should be completely free - if funding allowed such a thing. Don't whine about paying more money than someone without a job, until you yourself have spent a large amount of time without one yourself. Walk a mile in their shoes, if you will.

cindy07 - 2/3/2012 8:38 AM

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It is the thinking of the narrow minded, that cause this to be an issue in the first place. We don't know why Ms. Fritz doesn't have a job; she may have other health issues, as well. What we do know is that Planned Parenthood saves lives in many ways. A few that come to mind are STD screenings and Pap smears as noted in the article. Birth control and Family Planning are other ways that save lives; believe it or not, abortions save lives and improve the quality of life for those who are living when the issue is an unwanted child due to rape or simply too many children to care for or the fetus is a threat to the mother's life and she needs to care for other children. The bus system in Memphis is atrocious and always has been due to sprawl. Unless you're on a direct line it takes from 45 minutes to 2 hours to get anywhere. 45 minutes is doable; 2hours, most of it waiting for a bus or going in an odd direction so you can then travel to your destination is bizonkers!! I hope Planned Parenthood wins their lawsuit!!

LadyJ68 - 2/3/2012 2:25 AM

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Playing politics applies to both sides. If Planned Parenthood were that worried over annual paps, STD testing and breast exams, they could cease to provide abortions until the matter clears-up. No job in Memphis? Really? I see help wanted signs everywhere in this city. We have a very thorough city bus system, too. This woman could get a job and easily earn fifty something dollars for an exam. That is what the rest of us are required to do...only some of us pay over three hundred a month of our hard earned money for health insurance for ourselves and our families. Then, we are required to pay even more in taxes to fund her exams via Planned Parenthood. If Planned Parenthood is so highly supported, surely they can collect private funds so that the people that wish to remain clear of conscience regarding such matters can exercise that freedom. Right to choose for you, fine. But I should NOT have to fund it. There are so many others that claim they do support it so let them fund it.

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