In addition to the four health center closures in Minnesota, an additional four will be closed in Iowa.
MINNEAPOLIS — Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) will close four Minnesota health centers as it navigates federal spending cuts.
The healthcare provider said the closures resulted in the layoffs of 66 staff members while 37 others have received offers of reassignment over the next year, according to a release.
“My heart hurts as we announce the closure of health centers and the departure of trusted and talented colleagues, but our patients come first—always,” said Ruth Richardson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, in a statement.
In addition to the four health center closures in Minnesota, an additional four will be closed in Iowa. In total, the affected centers are:
- Alexandria Health Center – Alexandria, Minnesota
- Apple Valley Health Center – Apple Valley, Minnesota
- Bemidji Health Center – Bemidji, Minnesota
- Richfield Health Center – Richfield, Minnesota
- Ames Health Center – Ames, Iowa
- Cedar Rapids Health Center – Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Sioux City Health Center – Sioux City, Iowa
- Urbandale Health Center – Urbandale, Iowa
In a statement, Planned Parenthood pointed to multiple funding freezes and cuts for its decision.
"In April, Planned Parenthood North Central States was notified of a $2.8M freeze from Title X in Minnesota, the nation’s only federal program dedicated to providing affordable birth control and other reproductive health care to people no matter the person’s income or insurance status," said the statement.
Additionally, the organization said the reconciliation package, which is advancing through Congress, would further defund it and slash Medicaid, which 30% of its patients rely on.
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