1. What is the main idea of Marjorie Dannenfelser’s commentary?
2. The purpose of an editorial/commentary is to explain, persuade, warn, criticize, entertain, praise, exhort or answer. What do you think is the purpose of Ms. Dannenfelser’s commentary? Explain your answer.
3. For each of the statements/assertions made by Ms. Dannenfelser, write agree or disagree and explain your answers.
- Women have the most to gain from a congressional decision to reallocate money away from Planned Parenthood and to community-based health centers that already serve their localities. The quality of women’s health care will be improved by shifting money to medical providers that focus on the health and well-being of the whole woman; the priority should not be funding an organization that treats women’s reproductive health in isolation. (from para. 5)
- Research shows that in every state, women will have more options and greater choice if federal funds are shifted away from Planned Parenthood and to community health centers. (para. 8)
- Just as it reduces unborn babies to a collection of body parts for sale, Planned Parenthood reduces women’s health to their reproductive organs. (para. 10)
- Women deserve health care that focuses on the full range of their health and well-being. Reallocating Planned Parenthood’s federal funding to community health centers will be a major step in that direction. (para. 11)