On Sept.11, 2025, The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit allowed the Trump Administration to go ahead with cutting Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that was initially signed into law on July 4, 2025. The federal ruling overturns a lower court’s preliminary injunction that provided temporary protection from attacks on Medicaid reimbursements.
This ruling affects over 1.1 million patients in regards to exercising their right to Medicaid insurance at Planned Parenthood health centers, putting many individuals at risk of not receiving affirming and life-saving care. Nearly 200 Planned Parenthood health centers are also on the verge of closing down due to the lack of certainty on how they can provide for their patients.
The funding cut threatens not only the ability of clinics to support access to birth control and abortion procedures, but also for crucial non-abortion services like screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted infections.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson has reinforced Planned Parenthood’s commitment to providing education and care even in the face of attacks on reproductive care access and funding. More locally, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest (PPPSW), which serves 19 health centers across Imperial Valley, San Diego and Riverside counties, has echoed the same sentiments, openly revealing that their commitment will not falter in the face of the federal defunding decision.
For uninsured patients or those whose insurance policies do not cover necessary care services, PPPSW suggests patients turn to the Patient Assistance Fund.The Patient Assistance Fund will help patients who are unable to afford services cover the costs of those services.
