Who Needs Facts To Attack Planned Parenthood? Not The O'Reilly Factor

Written by Karen Famighetti

Published

Bill O'Reilly and Fox News contributor Laura Ingraham falsely claimed that abortion is the “core business” of Planned Parenthood, when, in fact, abortion services made up 3 percent of the organization's medical activities in 2010. Ingraham also claimed that Planned Parenthood spends $56 million per year on “lobbying”; it actually spent $56 million in 2010 on “public policy,” which includes a variety of activities.

O'Reilly, Ingraham Falsely Claim Abortion Is Planned Parenthood's “Core Business”

Ingraham: “Abortion Is The Core Business Of Planned Parenthood.” From the January 5 edition of The O'Reilly Factor:

INGRAHAM: But the key fact is, Bill, that Planned Parenthood really exists -- it does all these other things for sure, but abortion is the core business of Planned Parenthood.

BILL O'REILLY (host): That is their core business, there's no doubt about it.

INGRAHAM: No doubt about it. No doubt about it. [Fox News, The O'Reilly Factor, 1/5/12]

Planned Parenthood Annual Report: Abortion Services Made Up 3% Of Medical Services Provided In 2010. From Planned Parenthood's 2009-2010 Annual Report:

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[Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Annual Report 2009-2010, accessed 1/5/12]

Ingraham Baselessly Claims Planned Parenthood Spends $56 Million Per Year On “Lobbying”

Ingraham: "$56 Million A Year ... Spent On Lobbying By Planned Parenthood." From the O'Reilly Factor segment:

INGRAHAM: And Bill, $56 million a year, in this report, spent on lobbying by Planned Parenthood. That means the Democratic races, that means the presidency. They need a Democrat to be in control in the White House in order to get this money. That's their lifeline. [Fox News, The O'Reilly Factor, 1/5/12]

Planned Parenthood Annual Report: $56 Million Was Spent On “Public Policy.” From Planned Parenthood's 2009-2010 Annual Report:

expenses

[Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Annual Report 2009-2010, accessed 1/5/12]

Planned Parenthood's Vice President For Public Policy Leads A Variety Of Activities, Including “Government Relations, Grassroots Organizing, Litigation, And Political Affairs.” From the Planned Parenthood website:

Laurie Rubiner is vice president for public policy for Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. Ms. Rubiner leads the organization's implementation of national and state strategies for improved public policies through government relations, grassroots organizing, litigation, and political affairs. [PlannedParenthood.org, accessed 1/5/12]