Why I Choose Planned Parenthood

My day job involves working at the intersection of policy and systems change. So I think a lot about how institutions survive—and who keeps them going. And because of that...I'd love to share a recent experience I had at an organization I hold dear to my heart.

Last year, I went to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Sheboygan for a routine check-up. I scheduled it online in about two minutes. The clinic was bright and welcoming. The front desk staff? Warm and efficient. The clinician? Incredibly kind and knowledgeable. I was in and out in under 30 minutes, and the results were shared seamlessly with my primary care doctor back in San Francisco.

That visit was fast, easy, and professional.

It was also *political.*

Here’s what many people don’t realize: when someone like me—privately insured, with lots of healthcare options—chooses to get care at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, it helps fund the entire operation. My visit wasn’t taking the place of someone in need. It was subsidizing care for someone else.

I'm on the board of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc.., and I know firsthand: these clinics are on the frontlines of a fight that shouldn’t even be happening. That said, here we are. These organizations need more than just our donations (but please do that too!), they need us to show up, not just on the protest lines. But in their actual offices.

So if you're lucky enough to have good insurance and a flexible schedule? Go get your next check-up, birth control refill, or STI screening at Planned Parenthood.

Normalize it.

Talk about it.

Help keep the lights on.

Because democracy isn’t free.

And access to care doesn’t fund itself.