The debate over funding comes about as a hidden camera video, edited and released by the Centre for Medical Progress (which wants to make abortion illegal), claims that Planned Parenthood is making profit from the sale of aborted foetal body parts.

The video supposedly captures a meeting between representatives of the organisation, as they discuss the selling of foetal tissue for research purposes.

While the women’s health organisation has strongly denied claims that it makes any profit this way, medical researchers have warned that ending the donation of foetal tissue may impact progress towards finding cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer and diabetes.

An investigation has been launched in response to the video, and government funding which goes toward services offered by Planned Parenthood but not the provision of abortions, has been halted for the next year.

Republicans are now battling to defund the organisation completely (though Barack Obama has promised to veto such legislation should it land on his desk), which uses the money to offer cancer screenings, contraceptives and health support for women.

#ShoutYourAbortion trends worldwide as women breakdown stigma