Planned Parenthood to Close 8 Centers Amid Federal Funding Cuts

Planned Parenthood North Central States said Friday that it plans to close over a third of its health centers across Minnesota and Iowa and lay off dozens of staff members in light of looming federal funding cuts and other budget constraints.

Leaders of the regional affiliate cited that move, along with the Trump administration's decision to freeze $2.8 million in Title X funds as key factors in the decision to consolidate its centers.

Shifting patient preferences and broader challenges facing the health care sector, including stagnant reimbursement rates and staff shortages, also contributed, it said in a release.

The list of eight sites slated to close in the coming year includes several in the Twin Cities metro. Four Iowa health care centers — including its only facility that provides abortions in that state — and two in Greater Minnesota will also shutter:

• Ames Health Center (Ames, Iowa)
• Alexandria Health Center (Alexandria, Minnesota)
• Apple Valley Health Center (Apple Valley, Minn.)
• Bemidji Health Center (Bemidji, Minnesota)
• Cedar Rapids Health Center (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
• Richfield Health Center (Richfield, Minnesota)
• Sioux City Health Center (Sioux City, Iowa)
• Urbandale Health Center (Urbandale, Iowa)

PPNCS will also lay off 66 staff members and offer 37 others the opportunity to be reassigned as part of the reorganization.

Planned Parenthood said its 15 remaining health centers across the chapter's region, including about a dozen in Minnesota and Iowa, will remain open.

Those sites, combined with virtual care, serve about 80% of its current patient population.