Could Planned Parenthood survive without federal funds?

Under fire for much of its 100-year history, Planned Parenthood has survived bouts of controversy, legislative attacks and even violence. But the nation’s largest women’s health network these days faces what’s shaping into its biggest battle yet: the threatened loss of federal funding that represents more than 40 percent of itsoperating budget.

The defunding effort comes on multiple fronts, including as part of a larger debate over repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as well as in separate bills proposed in recent days.

Planned Parenthood began receiving federal funds to provide services to low-income women starting in 1970, but since 1976 it has been barred from using public money for abortions. At stake in the current struggle now playing out on Capitol Hill is the roughly $500 million a year the organization gets, largely through Medicaid reimbursements, for services such as cancer screening, offering contraception and treating sexually transmitted diseases.

Given the number of patients that Planned Parenthood aids -- it operates 661 health centers that provide services to 2.5 million women and men annually -- many public health experts say community clinics would be unable to absorb those who lose Planned Parenthood’s care.

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