Planned Parenthood Clinics in Louisiana Close

The two Planned Parenthood clinics in Louisiana closed on Tuesday for challenges which, according to the organization, made it unrealizable to operate there.

The clinics were in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

The president of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast said that the closures had been forced by “aggravating political attacks that dismantled public health infrastructure, (and) blocked care patients”.

The closures follow a Declaration of the court last month This affected the capacity of clinics to accept Medicaid reimbursements to provide care for patients, by opening the way to the implementation of a provision of the bill on the tax and expenses of President Trump.

“A federal court has enabled the Trump administration to take the administration of Planned to take effect, preventing patients with medical access to our health centers,” the organization said in mid-September.

Planned Parenthood said that ⁠Texas has prohibited the organization of the State Medicaid program since 2021, but that the last decision means that the coast of parenting Planned Parenthood can no longer accept Medicaid in its health centers in Louisiana.

Planned Parenthood warned against other possible national closures in the midst of Medicaid funding reductions in the Trump’s expense and tax invoice, which asks the government to stop Medicaid payments for a year to certain abortion suppliers.

But while many Planned Parenthood clinics provide abortion services, the Louisiana clinics that have closed had not offered abortion services at any time in their 40-year history, according to the New Orleans Department of Health. Planned Parenthood has never had a license to carry out abortions in Louisiana, reported the Associated Press.

Last year, the New Orleans Clinic served around 16,000 patients for sexually transmitted care and tests, and nearly 9,000 patients for family planning care, including contraception and pregnancy tests, according to Planned Parenthood data provided by the New Orleans Health Service.

“We know that Planned Parenthood New Orleans on Claiborne Avenue served tens of thousands of patients a year with sexual and reproductive health services, and that the clinic was important, because it was free access to people who were not insured or under-assured of people who did not feel comfortable going elsewhere,” in New Orleans. “This has responded to a real need in our community.”

Donovan said that his department worked hard to fill the vacuum of people who were counting on the New Orleans clinic For health care needs, the creation of new cards and databases so that patients find new primary care options.

New Orleans and Red Baton Clinics have provided nearly 30,000 tests for sexually transmitted infections, as well as 1,800 cancer screening and 655 ultrasounds. They saw 14,400 visits for birth control, the AP reported.

“While this chapter ends, community leaders and stakeholders continue to explore possible ways to continue the mission of advancing health and sexual health rights in Louisiana,” said Melaney Linton, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, in a press release at CBS News. “Although this future is not possible thanks to PPGC, the need remains urgent and this fight is not over.”

Some, however, applauded closings. The Republican Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, said on Tuesday on social networks: “This is a victory for babies, a victory for mothers and a victory for life!”

“Planned Parenthood has built its activities around the promotion of death,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill. “Louisiana proudly defends life. We will always protect women and babies here in our state.”

Planned Parenthood said in July that 200 clinics – around 600 – in the United States are also likely to close due to changes in federal policy and financing reductions, although the organization is trying to restore its funding through the courts.

Last week, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced This would cease to plan the abortions and the affiliate of Arizona announced that it would stop providing care covered by Medicaid. These changes come after five clinics in California, as well as eight in Iowa and Minnesota, closed their doors earlier this year.

Planned Parenthood is now absent in four states – Louisiana, Wyoming, Mississippi and Northern Dakota.

Posters with encouraging words for the staff of the New Orleans clinic were recorded on Tuesday at the rear door of the clinic, including a saying “the heroes work here” and another saying: “We appreciate everything you have done”.

Donovan, with the New Orleans Department of Health, believes that more challenges are to come for other public health clinics in Louisiana.

“The implementation of HR-1, or the” Big Beautiful Bill “, presents challenges similar to the limitation of access to health, potentially injuring the finances of medical suppliers because fewer people have Medicaid in the city, which is projected,” said Donovan.

The Associated Press

contributed to this report.