Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Strongly Condemns Planned Parenthood “Defund” in Congressional Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation Proposal

May 12, 2025

Shelby McMichael

Communications Manager

SACRAMENTO –  Late last night, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a draft of their portion of the reconciliation bill, which includes a provision to “defund” Planned Parenthood and drastically cut access to Medicaid.  

In California, over 80% of people who seek care at Planned Parenthood health centers rely on health care coverage through Medi-Cal programs and one in four people has received care from a Planned Parenthood health center. The proposal to defund Planned Parenthood and prohibit any federal funding, including reimbursement for the Medi-Cal services that Planned Parenthood health centers provide, will be catastrophic to Californians that rely on Planned Parenthood for their health care. 

Statement from Jodi Hicks, CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California: “In their latest attack on Planned Parenthood, Congressional Republicans have officially and explicitly put in writing their intention to defund Planned Parenthood across the nation. 

Excluding Planned Parenthood from Medicaid will wreak havoc – cancers will go undetected; the nation’s STI crisis will worsen; it will be harder than ever to get birth control; wellness exams and preventative health care will decline; and those who already face barriers to accessing care will suffer disproportionately. Put simply, this effort by out-of-touch policymakers to fulfill their anti-abortion agenda would take away affordable health care options for everyone.

Their willingness to hurt patients and risk people’s lives is unconscionable. Everyone should have the right to make their own health care decisions and not a single dollar should be taken from health care to line the pockets of Trump’s billionaire buddies. 

We know that the majority of Americans and Californians do not want this and overwhelmingly support Planned Parenthood. Given these federal attacks and Planned Parenthood’s irreplaceable role in the state’s health care system, California must step up to protect funding for Planned Parenthood and ensure health centers remain open. As a reproductive freedom state, there is simply no other option.”

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