Planned Parenthood, which has decried congressional efforts to remove its federal funding, opened a $19.7 million facility in 2016 that a local Washington, D.C. magazine described as "the most thoughtfully designed of all the organization’s facilities nationwide."
Laura Meyers, CEO of Planned Parenthood of metropolitan Washington, said she wanted to make the facility like a "combination Apple Store, Starbucks, and Anthropologie."
"Some want to experience the space alone—sit with their laptop or phone. Others may want to experience it communally," Meyers said, according to the Washingtonian.
The women's health care and abortion clinic installed booth-like sofas called BuzziHubs, which feature insulated walls that "hold in sound." The facility was also created with special windows that let in natural light but were covered with film to protect privacy.
The Planned Parenthood also includes defense tactics in case the facility is attacked. The front desk "doubles as a barrier staff can duck behind," and "cacti, placed throughout the clinic, look like cute decor, but their razor-sharp spines can be used to injure an attacker."
The president of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards complained in March that defunding her organization would cause "a health care disaster for women."
"'Defunding' PP would leave many of the patients we serve with nowehere else to go," Richards said on Twitter.
Bottom line: "Defunding" PP would leave many of the patients we serve with nowhere else to go, causing a health care disaster for women.
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) March 22, 2017
Richards previously made other comments about federal funding and the services Planned Parenthood provides.
Today we thank the doctors, clinicians & staff who provide safe, legal abortion care! #CelebrateAbortionProviders #carenomatterwhat
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) March 10, 2017
Fact: Federal funds do not pay for abortion. At Planned Parenthood, we don't agree with this harmful policy—but it's the law & we follow it.
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) March 6, 2017
Planned Parenthood has been part of the fabric of America for a century. Our doors stay open.
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) March 28, 2017
The Center for Medical Progress (CMP) released an undercover video on Wednesday which allegedly showed a Planned Parenthood employee saying she kept babies alive based on who was in the room with her, according to Townhall.
A CMP investigator asked former Arizona Planned Parenthood medical director Dr. DeShawn Taylor whether "there was any standard procedure for verifying signs of life" in the event that a baby was born.
"Well, the thing is, I mean the key is, you need to pay attention to who’s in the room, right?" Taylor responded.