Planned Parenthood Resumes Abortions in Wisconsin After Funding Crisis

UPDATE: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has just resumed scheduling abortions as of noon on October 2, 2023, following a nearly monthlong suspension due to critical changes in federal Medicaid funding legislation. This urgent development comes after the organization dropped its designation as an “essential community provider,” allowing it to regain eligibility for Medicaid funds.

The organization previously paused abortion services in response to cuts from President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill that took effect at the beginning of October. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s president and CEO, Tanya Atkinson, confirmed that the decision to drop the “essential community provider” status ensures that they can continue providing vital services to their patients without affecting the cost of abortions or other care.

Atkinson stated, “At this point, in all of our research and analysis, we really shouldn’t see much of an impact on patient access.” However, she acknowledged the potential need to reassess their operational model depending on the financial ramifications of this decision.

This pause in services had significant consequences for many women in Wisconsin, particularly in the southeastern region, who were forced to seek alternatives, including traveling to clinics in Chicago, which is about a three-hour drive away. Data shows that Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin serves approximately 50,000 patients, with around 60% relying on Medicaid for their care.

The resumption of services is part of a broader national struggle over abortion funding, especially for Planned Parenthood, which is the largest provider of reproductive health services in the U.S. Currently, 12 states have banned abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with additional restrictions in others, following the Supreme Court’s ruling in 2022 that allowed states more power to regulate abortion.

Despite Wisconsin’s legal framework permitting abortions, the Republican-controlled Legislature has implemented numerous laws restricting access. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin was the only state affiliate to pause all abortions entirely due to the new federal law.

The organization remains engaged in a multistate federal lawsuit challenging the funding provision. On September 29, a court filing indicated that family planning organizations could continue billing Medicaid if they relinquished their “essential community provider” designation, which Planned Parenthood did without losing its tax-exempt status.

In previous years, Planned Parenthood performed 3,727 abortions in Wisconsin, and while the organization is optimistic about its future funding, Atkinson emphasized the need to monitor patient access closely. “If relinquishing this does ultimately impact our bottom line, then we will have to understand what that path forward is.”

The urgency of this situation highlights the critical landscape of abortion services in Wisconsin and the ongoing battles over reproductive rights across the nation. As Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin navigates these changes, the implications for women seeking care remain paramount.

For those in need of abortion services, the reopening of clinics comes as a relief amid ongoing uncertainties surrounding reproductive health funding. Authorities and advocates will be closely watching how these shifts affect patient access and the overall availability of essential health services going forward.