California gives Planned Parenthood $140 million boost to keep clinics open – CalMatters

State Intervention to Uphold Health and Gender Equality Goals Amid Federal Funding Cuts

Background: Federal Policy Impact on SDG 3 and SDG 5

Recent federal policy changes, culminating in a July congressional decision to cut funding, have directly impacted the financial stability of Planned Parenthood, a key provider of community health services. The prohibition of Medicaid reimbursements for services including cancer screenings, contraception, and STI testing poses a significant threat to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). These cuts undermine universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, a critical target within both goals, by dismantling established health infrastructure.

California’s Response: Mitigating Health Disparities and Supporting SDG 10

In response to the federal defunding, the state of California has allocated $140 million in public funds to ensure the continued operation of Planned Parenthood’s 109 clinics. This measure is a direct effort to counteract the negative impacts on public health and uphold the principles of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By providing this financial lifeline, the state aims to guarantee that vulnerable populations, particularly the 80% of patients in California who rely on the state’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal), do not lose access to essential healthcare services. This action aligns with national efforts by states like Washington, Colorado, and New Mexico to create institutional safeguards for public health.

The Human Impact: Service Reductions and Threats to Community Well-being

The federal funding withdrawal has already precipitated a significant reduction in healthcare access, creating challenges for community health and well-being (SDG 3). The consequences include:

• The announced closure of primary care services in Orange and San Bernardino counties, affecting approximately 13,000 patients and resulting in 77 staff layoffs.
• The closure of five clinics in July across the Bay Area, Santa Cruz, and the Central Valley.
• Increased strain on communities already designated as having a shortage of primary care physicians, exacerbating health inequalities.
• Disruption of care for patients with chronic conditions and urgent mental health needs, who face difficulties in securing alternative providers.

Long-Term Outlook and the Pursuit of Sustainable Healthcare Solutions

Despite the state’s intervention, the long-term financial stability of these health services remains precarious, with organizational leaders warning of a potential “financial cliff.” Achieving a sustainable model for providing care that aligns with the SDGs requires a multi-faceted approach.

1. Securing Stable Funding: With monthly operational costs estimated at $27 million, a durable, long-term funding solution beyond the emergency injection is necessary for institutional stability (SDG 16).
2. Protecting Low-Income Access: Organizations are exploring cost-cutting measures and new revenue models to avoid passing costs on to patients, which would contradict the goals of reducing poverty (SDG 1) and inequality (SDG 10).
3. Legislative Action: State lawmakers are expected to address the issue further to establish a more permanent framework that protects reproductive and primary care access.
4. Prioritizing Preventative Care: Ensuring continued access to preventative services like cancer screenings is critical, as these services represent the difference between life and death and are fundamental to the public health targets of SDG 3.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s central theme is the provision of and access to healthcare services. It discusses the financial challenges faced by Planned Parenthood, a key provider of “primary care,” “reproductive health care,” “mammograms, pap smears, birth control and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment.” The potential closure of clinics and reduction of services directly impacts the health and well-being of communities, particularly low-income individuals.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The services provided by Planned Parenthood, such as “contraceptive and abortion services,” “cancer screenings,” and “reproductive health services,” are fundamental to women’s health, autonomy, and empowerment. The article highlights the efforts of the “Legislative Women’s Caucus” to protect these services, underscoring the connection between access to reproductive healthcare and gender equality.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article emphasizes the disproportionate impact of federal funding cuts on vulnerable populations. It states that in California, “80% of Planned Parenthood patients have Medicaid,” and clinics serve “low-income patients unable to find appointments elsewhere.” The loss of these services exacerbates health inequalities based on economic status, as these patients may not have alternative, affordable healthcare options.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.

  The article directly addresses this target by discussing the fight to maintain access to “abortion and reproductive health care,” “contraceptive services,” and “birth control” provided by Planned Parenthood. The state’s injection of $140 million is a direct action to ensure these services remain accessible despite federal defunding.

• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

  This target is relevant as the article details the closure of “primary care services” and the potential for clinics to “charge patients some amount of money for services.” This threatens universal access to essential healthcare. The high percentage of patients on Medi-Cal (80%) highlights the role of these clinics in providing care to those with financial risk protection, and the funding crisis jeopardizes this coverage.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

  The article’s focus on maintaining funding for Planned Parenthood is a direct reflection of this target. The services under threat, including “abortion services,” “birth control,” and “cancer screenings,” are critical components of sexual and reproductive health and rights, which are foundational to gender equality.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.

  The federal policy to cut funding for Planned Parenthood is presented as a practice that creates unequal health outcomes for low-income populations. In contrast, the California state government’s action to provide a “$140 million lifeline” is an example of a policy action aimed at mitigating this inequality and ensuring that “Folks that have Medi-Cal should be able to see the provider of their choice for primary care.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Public funding for health services: The article explicitly mentions the state providing a “$140 million lifeline” and the federal government cutting Medicaid dollars. This funding amount is a direct indicator of financial support for health services.
• Number of operational healthcare facilities: The article states the funding will help keep “109 California clinics open” and mentions that “Five other clinics also closed in July.” The number of open versus closed clinics is a clear indicator of service availability.
• Number of patients losing access to care: It is reported that “Roughly 13,000 patients will lose access to care” in Orange and San Bernardino counties. This figure is a direct measure of the impact of service reduction on the population.
• Proportion of patients relying on public health insurance: The statistic that “80% of Planned Parenthood patients have Medicaid” serves as an indicator of the population group most affected by the funding changes, which is crucial for measuring inequality.
• Availability of specific health services: The article notes the elimination of “primary care at clinics in Orange and San Bernardino counties” and the provision of services like “cancer screenings.” Tracking the availability of these specific services is an indicator of the comprehensiveness of care.
• Number of healthcare staff employed: The article mentions that “Planned Parenthood will lay off 77 staff,” which is an indicator of the operational capacity and stability of the healthcare provider.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: calmatters.org