The Abstinence Clearinghouse Blog

Actress Kate Walsh has played a doctor on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice”; does this somehow make her an expert on reproductive health? Walsh, who sits on the Planned Parenthood’s Board of Advisors, recently hosted a congressional forum by the nation’s biggest abortion trafficer. This forum was advertised by PP as “Kate Walsh Talks About Sex on Capitol Hill: Actor Leads Congressional Briefing on Real Sex Education.” In the past, Walsh has described real sex education with statements like, “If you’re going to have sex, use a condom”. She and Planned Parenthood would like nothing more than to zero-out federal abstinence funds. We all know that doing away with abstinence programs will not lower teen pregnancy rates and will only squelch the most effective method of reducing risks. According to “Adolescent and Family Health”, 67% of teen birth reductions are a direct result of abstinence. The Medical Institute notes that “sexual activity places teens at high risk for getting sexually transmitted diseases–and using contraception does not eliminate that risk.” It also leads to elevated risks of suicide, depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and dating violence. However, there is another area of concern regarding this beyond the unsound advise given. Planned Parenthood receives over $300 million a year in taxpayer funds, and more than a few eyebrows were raised when the group used a free lunch to lure a large crowd to this event. Under new ethics rules, it’s unlawful for nonprofit groups to provide meals to congressional members or staff. How then did Planned Parenthood get away in violating government rules? In light of the organization’s latest scandals, which include fraud, criminal cover-ups, and clinic deficiencies, Capitol Hill’s time is better spent investigating the group than promoting it. And, perhaps Ms. Walsh should reconsider acting as a sexual health expert and go back to “playing doctor”.