Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the Planned Parenthood US umbrella organization. Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) is the political advocacy branch of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Planned Parenthood provides healthcare services, especially to people that may not otherwise have access to it, and notably provides birth control and abortion services. PPAF is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to defend people’s autonomy over their own bodies. It consists of both national and regional groups. “Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people” and "the nation’s largest provider of sex education.”
Planned Parenthood Action Fund's website states:
Planned Parenthood was founded over 100 years ago on the revolutionary idea that women have the right to access the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives. Today, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) fights to protect that right — often in the face of extreme politicians trying to take it away.
Lindsay Robinson, the NC Director of Public Affairs for the Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic (a regional affiliate) describes the group’s goals as such: “Our mission is ‘care no matter what’ and we want to make sure that women are able to make informed decisions that are best for them about their health and their health access. That is really what we're about in terms of our mission and just being able to provide health care and have access provided to individuals.”
Planned Parenthood’s website describes their mission as follows:
Our Mission
Planned Parenthood aims to provide trusted community health care, inform and educate the community, lead the reproductive health and rights movement, and advance global health.
Our Vision and Values
Planned Parenthood believes in the individual fundamental right of people throughout the world to manage their reproductive health, regardless of income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence. Respect, inclusion and diversity in all aspects of our organization are essential to our well-being. We believe reproductive self-determination must be voluntary and we honor the right to privacy. We further believe that such self-determination enhances quality of life and helps build strong family relationships.
Our Goals
- To provide comprehensive reproductive and complementary health care services in settings that preserve and protect the essential privacy and rights of each individual
- To advocate public policies that guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services
- To provide educational programs that enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality
- To promote research and the advancement of technology in reproductive health care and encourage understanding of their inherent bioethical, behavioral, and social implications
There are many pro-life groups, both religious and secular, that oppose Planned Parenthood because they offer abortion services. Major groups include National Right to Life and Pro-Life Action League. Here is an extensive list of over 85 anti-abortion organizations in the United States.
Planned Parenthood also faces opposition from many parts of the government, particularly the current Trump Administration.