Nearly one year after President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law, millions of Michiganders have lost access to healthcare through Medicaid—and they’re continuing to feel the ripple effects of the legislation today.
On June 12, a letter from Planned Parenthood of Michigan’s President and CEO Paula Thornton Greear revealed that federal funding cuts were forcing the organization to close its education department—eliminating 11 positions that had spent years building youth and adult peer education programs, parent and community workshops, school partnerships, LGBTQ-specific sexual health education, professional trainings, and community programming throughout Michigan.
In the letter, Greear says that the decision to close the organization’s education department was a result of the $5.2 million revenue gap created after a provision in last year’s reconciliation bill prohibited Planned Parenthood clinics nationwide from receiving Medicaid reimbursement from patients seeking care, in addition to a reduction in federal family planning through Title X funding.
Related: ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ will cost Michiganders—here’s how much, and who’s responsible
“While the generosity of our supporters and the dedication of our staff have helped lessen the impact, no funding solution has emerged that can fully offset the magnitude of this impact. To ensure Planned Parenthood of Michigan can continue providing critical health services for years to come, we are examining every aspect of our organization and making difficult decisions about what work we can sustainably support,” wrote Greear.
A funding cut domino effect
Last year, after all Republican members of Congress voted in favor of the Trump Administration’s reconciliation bill, otherwise known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” nonprofit health clinics like Planned Parenthood were prohibited from receiving Medicaid reimbursement for one year, along with Title X funding, in an effort to discourage those seeking abortion services.
However, Medicaid does not cover abortion care. Medicaid is a federal health insurance program for low-income adults and children in the US. And for Michigan’s 2.5 million Medicaid beneficiaries, Planned Parenthood is often the most accessible place to get affordable healthcare like breast exams, cancer screenings, and contraception.
As a result of the cuts, Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country have been forced to restructure to keep taking care of patients who rely on them. In Michigan, that meant closing several brick-and-mortar Planned Parenthood locations across the state, expanding telehealth services, and, most recently, eliminating its education department.
Related: Michiganders to lose multiple Planned Parenthood locations as Trump freezes Title X funds
In the meantime, Michiganders are fighting to protect what access to reproductive healthcare across the state they have left, and many want to vote out the Republicans who supported the “beautiful” bill—including Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Lansing) and gubernatorial candidate Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township), both of whom voted against extending healthcare subsidies earlier this year. The Michigan Congressmen have also taken to their own social media accounts to share their stances on the issue.
Greear says that education remains part of Planned Parenthood of Michigan’s mission and will be delivered to patients during clinical interactions by clinicians who will continue to offer the accurate, nonjudgmental information patients deserve.
“Planned Parenthood has been around for more than 100 years, in many different forms. The Trump administration is forcing us to make painful but necessary changes, and we are making them to ensure we can overcome their attacks and be here for another 100 years, continuing to provide medical care,” wrote Greear.
Related: Local advocates offer a message of hope for Michiganders using services at Planned Parenthood
