MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin resumed scheduling abortions on Monday after a nearly monthlong pause due to federal Medicaid funding cuts in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill that took effect at the beginning of October.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin stated that it is now able to resume scheduling abortions because it no longer fits the definition of a 'prohibited entity' under the new federal law, allowing it to receive Medicaid funds.
The organization dropped its designation as an 'essential community provider' as defined under the Affordable Care Act. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin president and CEO Tanya Atkinson clarified that this adjustment will not alter the cost of abortions or other services.
'At this point, in all of our research and analysis, we really shouldn’t see much of an impact on patient access,' she said, adding that they would reevaluate if financial consequences arise.
The abortion funding debate has escalated across the U.S., especially affecting Planned Parenthood affiliates, the largest provider in the country, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that allowed states to impose abortion bans. Currently, 12 states have outlawed abortion at any stage of pregnancy, while four others impose bans at around six weeks’ gestation.
Planned Parenthood has warned that the new federal law restricts Medicaid funding for non-abortion services, putting half of its clinics at risk of closure.
In Wisconsin, where abortion is legal but access is constrained by Republican-led laws, Planned Parenthood was the only state organization to pause all abortion services due to the federal law.
The pause for 26 days forced many seeking abortion services to explore options outside the state, with some traveling to Chicago.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin serves about 50,000 individuals annually, with around 60% covered by Medicaid, emphasizing the need to navigate funding sources carefully.
Notably, the organization is involved in a multistate federal lawsuit contesting the new law, as a federal appeals court recently ruled that the government could suspend payments pending the court challenge.
Atkinson described the recent changes in law and funding as complex, noting that Planned Parenthood maintains its focus on providing a range of health services beyond abortion, such as cancer screenings and STI testing. Despite the funding alterations, the organization expects its non-abortion services to expand.
In the past year, Planned Parenthood performed 3,727 abortions in Wisconsin, demonstrating the ongoing demand for such services.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin stated that it is now able to resume scheduling abortions because it no longer fits the definition of a 'prohibited entity' under the new federal law, allowing it to receive Medicaid funds.
The organization dropped its designation as an 'essential community provider' as defined under the Affordable Care Act. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin president and CEO Tanya Atkinson clarified that this adjustment will not alter the cost of abortions or other services.
'At this point, in all of our research and analysis, we really shouldn’t see much of an impact on patient access,' she said, adding that they would reevaluate if financial consequences arise.
The abortion funding debate has escalated across the U.S., especially affecting Planned Parenthood affiliates, the largest provider in the country, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2022 that allowed states to impose abortion bans. Currently, 12 states have outlawed abortion at any stage of pregnancy, while four others impose bans at around six weeks’ gestation.
Planned Parenthood has warned that the new federal law restricts Medicaid funding for non-abortion services, putting half of its clinics at risk of closure.
In Wisconsin, where abortion is legal but access is constrained by Republican-led laws, Planned Parenthood was the only state organization to pause all abortion services due to the federal law.
The pause for 26 days forced many seeking abortion services to explore options outside the state, with some traveling to Chicago.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin serves about 50,000 individuals annually, with around 60% covered by Medicaid, emphasizing the need to navigate funding sources carefully.
Notably, the organization is involved in a multistate federal lawsuit contesting the new law, as a federal appeals court recently ruled that the government could suspend payments pending the court challenge.
Atkinson described the recent changes in law and funding as complex, noting that Planned Parenthood maintains its focus on providing a range of health services beyond abortion, such as cancer screenings and STI testing. Despite the funding alterations, the organization expects its non-abortion services to expand.
In the past year, Planned Parenthood performed 3,727 abortions in Wisconsin, demonstrating the ongoing demand for such services.
