Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) is highlighting the consequences of the federal budget bill that would block Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood health centers. It was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
“This bill would devastate access to essential health care for over 50,000 Wisconsinites,” said Tanya Atkinson, president and CEO of Planned PPWI. “We would be forced to close health centers, lay off dedicated staff and turn away patients who rely on us for cancer screenings, STI testing, birth control and more.”
Speakers emphasized that the bill’s passage would disproportionately harm women, people of color, rural residents and low-income families across the state. In the absence of PPWI, the organization says there is no other health system in the state that can absorb the tens of thousands of patients who rely on this care each year.
As a health care provider, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin bills insurance providers, including Medicaid, which provides insurance to qualified individuals who do not receive employer-based insurance. In Wisconsin, approximately 1.2 million people are enrolled in Medicaid.
