‘#ThanksPlannedParenthood’: People share how organisation helped them amidst Amy Coney Barrett hearings

People on social media have been sharing stories of how Planned Parenthood has helped them amidst the confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

Judge Barrett, who would replace the late liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, faced days of questioning this week as part of her nomination process to the supreme court.

During the second day of the hearing on Wednesday Barrett refused to tell senators if she would vote to overturn decisions that provide legal protections to birth control and same-sex marriage.

Judge Barrett, who has signed ads opposing abortion and belonged to Notre Dame University's Faculty for Life, has also refused to answer senators' questions on Roe v Wade, the 1973 landmark Supreme Court ruling that declared a woman's right to an abortion.

As the second day of questioning of Judge Barrett took place, the hashtag #ThanksPlannedParenthood began trending on Twitter, and users outlined their experiences in support of the non-profit reproductive health care organisation.

Actress Patricia Arquette was one of the more high profile figures to speak out under the trending topic, explaining how Planned Parenthood had helped her receive contraception and a pregnancy test.

“I got my first birth control pills at planned parenthood. They also gave me a pregnancy test on Christmas Eve and made me go to the hospital immediately because It seemed I was having a ectopic pregnancy which can be deadly. #ThanksPlannedParenthood”, the actress tweeted.

Many people thanked the organisation for providing them with reproductive services in their younger years when they could not afford health insurance, including comedian Sarah Colonna.

“For my Annual Pap smears in my 20s when I was too broke to afford health insurance #ThanksPlannedParenthood,” she posted.

Another user said: “Thanks to #PlannedParenthood I was able to get very low-cost health care just after college when I was hella broke.

“I got a Pap smear and discovered I had cervical dysplasia and had to have a biopsy, which was thankfully negative. #ThanksPlannedParenthood.”

Pastor and author Martha Spong tweeted: “In my first marriage we had no money and terrible insurance. I got my exams and affordable birth control from them for years. THEY care about women. #ThanksPlannedParenthood”

Many supporters thanked Planned Parenthood for providing vital services such as pap smears and access to hormone treatments.

“I'm trans and Planned Parenthood allowed me to use informed consent for hormones. The ease of it all is the only reason I'm living as myself today. #ThanksPlannedParenthood,” a user named Robin posted.

One user named Stacey Garratt explained how she received an abnormal pap smear when she was 18-years-old.

“#ThanksPlannedParenthood for my LEEP procedure, non-stigmatizing sexual health education, and for the regular screenings until I got the viral all-clear signal years later,” she wrote.

Another tweeted: “Planned Parenthood provided me vital services such as pap smears, BC, and helped to diagnose a ruptured cyst. Without them I would have ended up extremely sick."

Some detailed how the organisation provided support in the wake of negative traumatic events and sexual assault.

Others discussed positive experiences such as how Planned Parenthood helped them build their families.

“Planned Parenthood is the host agency for the adoption center that made me a mom. #ThanksPlannedParenthood,” Sarah I.B wrote.

“I got pregnant at 17, after I gave birth Planned Parenthood advised me and helped me map out a plan to have my future children when I was ready and prepared,” a user named Heather tweeted.

“I was given a IUD for free. I am now a mother of 5 and my other 4 children were planned. #ThanksPlannedParenthood.”

Partners also discussed how the non-profit had provided services to their partners.

“My girlfriend got tested and an IUD. Men need to #ThanksPlannedParenthood too,” one user said.

“My wife and I found out we were having a baby when I was too poor to afford healthcare and the #ACA wasn't a thing yet... My wife got treatment and we had a healthy baby girl... #ThanksPlannedParenthood," another tweeted.

Judge Barrett's nomination is being fast tracked following her nomination by President Donald Trump just over two weeks ago. Mr Trump and Senate Republicans have said they want her on the court before the presidential election on 3 November.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press

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