The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion Tuesday calling for emergency state intervention to prevent the closure of Planned Parenthood health centers countywide.
The motion, introduced by Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, responds to new federal restrictions blocking Planned Parenthood facilities from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for services. While a federal court injunction has temporarily halted the restrictions, access to preventative health services remains uncertain.
Los Angeles County's 23 Planned Parenthood health centers serve approximately 250,000 patients annually. The organization's outreach teams, including Promotoras Comunitarias and the Black Health Initiative, reach nearly 50,000 people each year in underserved communities.
"For decades, Planned Parenthood has been a trusted source of care in Los Angeles County—providing essential health services, trusted information, and compassionate support, especially in communities too often overlooked," Horvath said. "We won't let political attacks erase decades of progress."
Hahn emphasized the broader healthcare implications, stating the federal restrictions could "impact families for generations to come" by depriving underserved populations of comprehensive medical services.
The board directed the County's Chief Executive Office to send a letter signed by all five supervisors to Governor Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders requesting emergency funding and policy solutions.
Without state intervention, an estimated 115 Planned Parenthood health centers could close statewide, including all 23 facilities in Los Angeles County. Officials warn that other healthcare providers lack the capacity to fill the resulting service gaps.
The centers provide cancer screenings, birth control, sexually transmitted infection treatment and other preventative care services, particularly serving communities with limited healthcare access.
The federal court injunction provides temporary protection, but county officials stress the urgency of securing long-term solutions to maintain healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
Edited by SMDP Staff