Planned Parenthood has clinics is 49 states and DC. (I'm trying to figure out which state is currently clinicless.) The clinic in Madison was very important to me when I was without insurance last year. They charge a sliding scale, based on what you can afford. Without health insurance, I wouldn't have been able to afford to see my regular doctor, but with the PP clinic, I didn't have to go without basic health care.

Planned Parenthood is more than just a supplier of birth control. Some "pro-life" people like to paint Planned Parenthood as nothing but a bunch of abortionists. Not at all true. Not only does Planned Parenthood offer contraception and STD/STI testing and treatment, but Pap smears, breast exams, and other vital exams. How many women might let something like ovarian cysts go unnoticed and untreated, because they could not afford to see a doctor for regular checkups?

Besides which, their nurse practitioners are cooler than cool. I have yet to meet one that wasn't super nice and oh-so competent.

More in a bit...