(Oregon Right to Life) — The New York Times, long known for its liberal slant, surprised pro-life advocates last weekend by publishing an article that criticized of abortion corporation Planned Parenthood and spotlighted its organizational woes, including “botched care” and high employee turnover. The report comes as pro-life advocates are vocally urging the new Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut funding to the abortion giant.
The New York Times published the article, entitled “Botched Care and Tired Staff: Planned Parenthood in Crisis,” on February 15. In the article, writer Katie Benner began by relating a story of a New York woman who went to a Planned Parenthood facility for an abortion when she was just eight weeks pregnant. The abortion failed, leading to heavily bleeding, “painful cramps,” and a trip to the emergency room, where she discovered – despite assurances from Planned Parenthood staff that the procedure had been successful – that “the baby was still in her womb.”
Twelve weeks after her abortion appointment, she gave birth to her baby, who passed away shortly thereafter. The mother has since filed a lawsuit.
Problems with Planned Parenthood’s “care” aren’t isolated to a single anecdote.
“The case of the botched abortion in New York is one of scores of allegations reviewed by The Times that accuse Planned Parenthood of poor care,” the article states.
“[A] New York Times review of clinic documents and legal filings, as well as interviews with more than 50 current and former Planned Parenthood executives, consultants and medical staff members, found that some clinics are so short of cash that care has suffered,” Benner wrote. “Many operate with aging equipment and poorly trained staff, as turnover has increased because of rock-bottom salaries.”
The majority of financial contributions received by Planned Parenthood do not go toward updated technology, employee salaries, or top-notch care, according to the report, but instead go toward “the legal and political fight to maintain abortion rights.”
“Over the last five years, the national office has distributed more than $899 million to affiliates to help them deliver care, but none of it went directly to medical services,” Benner reported.
According to the Times report, Planned Parenthood leaders explained their prioritization of “the fight for abortion rights over clinics” because of their belief that “the political fight was fundamental to the organization’s ability to operate.”
For pro-life news and advocacy organization Live Action, the reported admissions show that “the central work of Planned Parenthood is to advocate for legalized abortion, be a leader in the pro-abortion movement, and educate (though with false information) on so-called ‘reproductive health care,’ ie: abortion.”
The New York Times report has earned the attention of pro-life advocates unused to hearing critiques of the abortion industry giant by the mainstream press. Some have additionally pointed out that the article was published at a time when funding for Planned Parenthood appears at risk from a newly inaugurated presidential administration keen on trimming back government spending.
Live Action founder Lila Rose called the article a “BOMBSHELL REPORT,” remarking that the New York Times is “making the case for why Planned Parenthood should be defunded!”
READ: Pro-Life Advocates Urge President Trump to Defund Planned Parenthood
As the Trump administration seeks to eliminate wasteful spending in the federal government, pro-life advocates have increased calls to eliminate taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood. Trump allies have already signalled an interest in doing so, but no action has yet been taken.
In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Planned Parenthood received $699.3 million in government funding, with federal grants and reimbursements from taxpayer dollars accounting for nearly 40% of all revenue. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood’s facilities regularly perform about 40% of the nation’s abortions. According to the organization’s annual report, Planned Parenthood facilities performed approximately 392,715 abortions in 2022–2023.
Last week, a bevy of pro-life groups signed onto a letter urging Trump administration Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to stop the funding of Planned Parenthood.
Click here to send a message to President Trump urging him to cut funding to Planned Parenthood as his new administration seeks to eliminate wasteful spending.
