Planned Parenthood Faces Calls for Defunding Amid Post Deletion Controversy
Planned Parenthood deleted all its Instagram posts right after HHS Secretary RFK Jr. was sworn in, sparking speculation and calls for defunding from pro-life advocates.
Planned Parenthood caught the internet's attention on Thursday after all of its Instagram posts were deleted shortly after Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary RFK Jr. was sworn in.
In apparent acknowledgment of this situation, the organization posted a pair of eyes on a black background on its Instagram story with no explanation.
On Friday, Planned Parenthood shared another story, an animated gif with the words "I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me." Ultimately, there were just three posts left on its Instagram page, all focused on condom use.
As speculation grew about the mysterious disappearance of the posts, many pro-life advocates began calling for the defunding of Planned Parenthood. This development came shortly after a conservative watchdog nonprofit, founded by former President Mike Pence, urged the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut federal spending on the organization.
Tim Chapman, president of Advancing American Freedom, stated, "For the sake of the American people and generations yet unborn, the time has come for the United States to finally defund the largest abortion provider in America," in a letter to Elon Musk.
According to a report by the Government Accountability Office, Planned Parenthood health centers received nearly $22 billion in HHS grants and $53 billion from public health programs between 2019 and 2021.
During his confirmation hearing, RFK Jr. expressed, "I believe every abortion is a tragedy," aligning with President Donald Trump's viewpoint that states should manage the issue. He echoed Trump's desire to end late-term abortions and protect conscience exemptions.
With Kennedy now leading HHS and Elon Musk at DOGE, pro-choice advocates are concerned that Planned Parenthood may face significant cuts.
On February 3, Planned Parenthood Federation of America warned that "defunding" the organization could jeopardize patient access to "sexual and reproductive care." The organization treated 2.05 million patients in 2022, providing over 4.6 million STI tests, nearly 213,000 breast exams, among other services, though it did not disclose the number of abortions performed during that period.
Planned Parenthood has not responded to a Fox News request for comment.
