Governor Kathy Hochul announced Friday that New York will fully fund Planned Parenthood services across the state, stepping in after Republicans in Congress voted to strip federal Medicaid funding from the organization.

The move protects critical health care access for more than 200,000 patients — including over 100,000 Medicaid recipients — who rely on Planned Parenthood’s 47 health centers throughout New York.

“Washington Republicans have shown time and again that they’ll stop at nothing to undermine women’s health care,” Hochul said. “I’ve directed the state to fund these vital services. I will always stand up for reproductive rights and the health care New Yorkers deserve.”

Earlier this year, Congress passed H.R. 1, which includes a one-year ban on federal Medicaid funding for organizations that provide abortion services and received more than $800,000 in Medicaid funds in 2023. That language effectively targets Planned Parenthood’s five affiliates in New York — making them “prohibited entities” under the new law, and cutting off federal funding for all services they provide, not just abortion care.

Hochul’s action will fill that gap using state funds, ensuring patients can still access services like contraception, STI and HIV prevention, cancer screenings, prenatal and menopausal care, and mental health support.

Rural communities especially affected

More than 60% of Planned Parenthood clinics in New York are located in rural or medically underserved areas, often serving as the only available provider for miles. Without this funding, many of those clinics could have been forced to cut services or close entirely.

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York and its sister organizations across the state welcomed the support, noting the devastating impact that the federal cuts could have had on vulnerable communities.

A broader commitment to reproductive health

Friday’s announcement builds on Hochul’s broader reproductive health agenda, which includes:

A $25 million annual investment in abortion care servicesExpanded legal protections for New York-based abortion providersIncreased state funding for reproductive health clinicsA statewide Abortion Access Program supporting health equity and affordability

Guidance for providers navigating the new funding structure is available on the New York State Department of Health website.

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