Congressional Republicans Take Final Vote to Defund Planned Parenthood, Impacting Nearly One Million Patients Annually in California

July 3, 2025
Shelby McMichael

SACRAMENTO – Today, House Republicans passed the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” – stripping Medicaid from millions of Americans and defunding Planned Parenthood. This means that Planned Parenthood health centers in California are prohibited from receiving federal reimbursement for any of the services they provide to patients that access care through Medi-Cal programs, including birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, wellness exams, and more. 

Existing law already prohibits federal dollars from paying for abortion care. Abortion opponents in Congress designed this bill to work as a backdoor abortion ban. By attacking Planned Parenthood health centers’ ability to provide the full spectrum of reproductive health care services, they aim to decimate abortion access in states like California where it is legal and a constitutional right. 

One-third of Planned Parenthood patients nationwide receive their care in California – or nearly one million people annually. Over 80% of Planned Parenthood patients in California rely on Medi-Cal programs to access health care.

Statement from Jodi Hicks, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California:

“This result is outright devastating for so many reasons. It is nothing short of cruelty for cruelty’s sake.

“Congressional Republicans, including nine California elected members, knew the bill would decimate health care access across the board. They knew it included a backdoor abortion ban. They knew they were voting to attack reproductive health care for millions of Americans by defunding Planned Parenthood. And yet despite knowing all the harms the bill would cause, they voted instead to give billionaires tax breaks at the expense of the health and well-being of their constituents.

“So next time you hear Republicans in Congress talk about “protecting” Medicaid and access to health care, know they voted – with their eyes wide open – to do the exact opposite.

“Americans deserve better. Californians deserve better.

“Despite their attacks, California remains a reproductive freedom state and Planned Parenthood health centers remain open to serve patients. The commitment to providing care remains absolute.

“Planned Parenthood in California will continue to fight for our values and the right of all people to access the health care they need and deserve. We’re not giving up, no matter what.”

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