After a two-week temporary restraining order (TRO) blocked the implementation of a bill removing Planned Parenthood from Medicaid programs, the bill has now gone into effect because the TRO expired, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast (PPCCC) reports.
A federal district court issued only a partial preliminary injunction, blocking the provision in the reconciliation law that attempts to unconstitutionally “defund” Planned Parenthood, but only for some Planned Parenthood members.
All 114 California Planned Parenthood heath centers, including the six operated by PPCCC, were not granted relief by this court order.
The partial relief has been granted to Planned Parenthood members who do not independently meet the “defund’s”’ definition of a “prohibited entity.” That is, those that cannot provide abortions because of state abortion bans, or who received less than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023.
For PPCCC, as well as other Planned Parenthood members not covered by the preliminary injunction, the “defund” provision is now in effect — risking chaos, confusion, and harm to patients, PPCCC said.
Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of sexual and reproductive health care in California. Like all health care organizations, Planned Parenthood relies on insurance reimbursements for services delivered to fund its care.
Nearly 70% of patients who come to PPCCC for essential reproductive health care services rely on Medicaid for health care coverage.
Medicaid reimbursements lost by the “defund” provision account for 60% of PPCCC’s total annual revenue and fund essential, preventive care including cancer screenings, birth control, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and well visits.
“Losing this revenue will be devastating to reproductive health care on the Central Coast,” PPCCC said.
“Despite these political attacks from anti-abortion and anti-Planned Parenthood lawmakers in Washington, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast is committed to providing essential sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion care,” PPCCC said. “While we continue to fight for our patients, care continues regardless of insurance status.
“The court’s decision, at least for now, allows the Trump administration’s cruel, politically motivated attack on Planned Parenthood and our patients to move forward,” said Jenna Tosh, president/CEO, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast. “This attack disproportionately harms patients in states like California, where abortion is still legal.
“Anti-abortion politicians have been unsuccessful at banning abortion nationwide, so they are trying to force Planned Parenthood to close our doors. But we will not back down, and we will not give up.”
“As the most trusted provider of reproductive health care, we work toward a future where all people have equitable opportunity to experience health and wellness including high-quality sexual and reproductive health care provided with respect and without judgment,” PPCCC said.