Planned Parenthood Clinics in Minnesota and Iowa to Shut Down Amid Funding Cuts
In a significant setback for reproductive healthcare, Planned Parenthood North Central States announced the closure of four clinics in Minnesota and four in Iowa within the next year. The closures, attributed to a freeze on federal funding, proposed Congressional budget cuts, and restrictive state abortion laws, will affect numerous communities. Two of the affected Minnesota clinics are located in the Twin Cities area, in Apple Valley and Richfield, along with facilities in Alexandria and Bemidji.
In Iowa, the closures include the only clinic in the state that provides abortion procedures, situated in Ames, which serves the Iowa State University population. Additional clinics closing in Iowa are located in Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, and Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines.
The organization will lay off 66 employees, with 37 additional staff being reassigned to other locations. Despite these challenges, Planned Parenthood aims to enhance its telemedicine services, which currently serve approximately 20,000 patients annually.
Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of the affiliate, expressed concerns about the sustainability of their infrastructure amid ongoing legislative attacks. Currently, of the remaining 15 clinics run by Planned Parenthood North Central States, only six will provide abortion services—five in Minnesota and one in Omaha, Nebraska.
The affiliate cites a $2.8 million federal funding freeze, which was instituted by the Trump administration for services including birth control and STI testing, as a critical factor. Additionally, restrictions in Iowa, such as a six-week abortion ban, have drastically reduced the number of abortions performed, leading many patients to seek care in neighboring states.
Following the closures, Planned Parenthood will operate 10 clinics in Minnesota, two in Iowa, two in Nebraska, and one in South Dakota, while none will remain in North Dakota.
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