MADISON, Wis. — Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has resumed scheduling abortions after a nearly month-long hiatus brought on by new federal Medicaid funding restrictions. The pause began due to the enactment of a tax and spending bill under President Donald Trump, which narrowed eligibility for organizations receiving Medicaid funds.
Effective Monday, the organization reported that it could again provide abortion services as it no longer meets the criteria of a 'prohibited entity' under the revised federal law.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin had been classified as an 'essential community provider' under the Affordable Care Act, a designation it has now relinquished to continue accessing Medicaid funding without losing its ability to offer abortions.
CEO Tanya Atkinson stated that the decision was made to ensure minimal disruption to patient access. In our research and analysis, we shouldn't see much of an impact on patient access, she commented. However, she acknowledged the potential financial implications for the organization should the changes affect their overall funding.
The resumption of services comes amid an intense national debate regarding abortion funding, following the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting individual states to impose bans on the procedure. Currently, 12 states prohibit abortions at all stages of pregnancy, while others have instituted bans after six weeks.
Wisconsin is among the states experiencing legislative pushbacks from a Republican-controlled legislature that has enacted numerous restrictions on abortion access. According to Atkinson, Wisconsin was uniquely impacted, being the only state where Planned Parenthood had to pause all abortions under the new federal law.
During the 26-day suspension, individuals seeking abortion services were forced to seek alternatives outside of Wisconsin, including traveling to clinics in Chicago, roughly a three-hour drive away. While Planned Parenthood's facilities cater to approximately 50,000 individuals annually, 60% of whom are Medicaid recipients, the detailed impact of the service suspension remains unclear.
Additionally, Wisconsin is part of a broader federal lawsuit challenging the federal provision impacting abortion services, complicating the landscape further.
Atkinson underscored that the relinquishment of the 'essential community provider' status will not hinder Planned Parenthood's capacity to deliver essential health services beyond abortion, including cancer screenings and STI testing, while the organization retains its tax-exempt status. The focus now is on ensuring that services other than abortion can expand in light of the new legal framework.
Effective Monday, the organization reported that it could again provide abortion services as it no longer meets the criteria of a 'prohibited entity' under the revised federal law.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin had been classified as an 'essential community provider' under the Affordable Care Act, a designation it has now relinquished to continue accessing Medicaid funding without losing its ability to offer abortions.
CEO Tanya Atkinson stated that the decision was made to ensure minimal disruption to patient access. In our research and analysis, we shouldn't see much of an impact on patient access, she commented. However, she acknowledged the potential financial implications for the organization should the changes affect their overall funding.
The resumption of services comes amid an intense national debate regarding abortion funding, following the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting individual states to impose bans on the procedure. Currently, 12 states prohibit abortions at all stages of pregnancy, while others have instituted bans after six weeks.
Wisconsin is among the states experiencing legislative pushbacks from a Republican-controlled legislature that has enacted numerous restrictions on abortion access. According to Atkinson, Wisconsin was uniquely impacted, being the only state where Planned Parenthood had to pause all abortions under the new federal law.
During the 26-day suspension, individuals seeking abortion services were forced to seek alternatives outside of Wisconsin, including traveling to clinics in Chicago, roughly a three-hour drive away. While Planned Parenthood's facilities cater to approximately 50,000 individuals annually, 60% of whom are Medicaid recipients, the detailed impact of the service suspension remains unclear.
Additionally, Wisconsin is part of a broader federal lawsuit challenging the federal provision impacting abortion services, complicating the landscape further.
Atkinson underscored that the relinquishment of the 'essential community provider' status will not hinder Planned Parenthood's capacity to deliver essential health services beyond abortion, including cancer screenings and STI testing, while the organization retains its tax-exempt status. The focus now is on ensuring that services other than abortion can expand in light of the new legal framework.
