The planned parent-child relationship between Orange and San Bernardino counties could be forced to scale back health services following the passage of a federal budget bill that would ban organizations reimbursement. The Trump-backed federal budget package has been described by local affiliates as an effective “refund” for planned parent-child relationships.
Christa Hollinger, president and CEO of Plannard Parent-Child Affairs in Orange and San Bernardino County, issued a statement on Friday denounced the law and warnings for its impact on local reproductive health services.
“Congress, which is under the influence of President Trump, has passed a budget bill that effectively “refunds” parent-child relationships between planned parents,” Hollinger said in a statement. “Once a signature is signed, this means that [our affiliate] Because we provide abortion as a small but important part of our healthcare services through our Medicaid programme. ”
While federal law already prohibits Medicaid funds from being used for abortion services through Hyde’s amendment, Hollinger emphasized that the new bill would prevent organizations from receiving refunds for other services, including birth control, cancer screening, STI testing and treatment, and primary care.
“In a planned parent-child relationship, the elimination of Medicaid means losing about 50% of the revenue,” she said. “The result is that we are forced to make difficult operational decisions to maintain our mission and continue to serve our patients.”
Affiliates in Orange and San Bernardino County serve approximately 130,000 patients a year. Authorities warned that without Medicaid refunds, those individuals, especially those with low incomes and underserved patients, could face reduced access to health services.
Hollinger framed the law as a political manipulation rather than a financial manipulation. “Refund Planning Parent-Child Relations are not about balancing the national budget,” she said. “It’s a blatant attack on access to health care for those who need it the most, and a backdoor attempt to block access to abortion.”
Despite future uncertainty, the organization said it remains committed to providing reproductive care and legal abortion care in California.
“The fight isn’t over, but there are some difficult days going forward,” Hollinger said. “We’re losing federal funds, which make up a large part of our financial foundations, so we may need to make some difficult choices.”
Planned Parenthood said it is seeking budgetary solutions to maintain care for as many patients as possible, and is seeking support from its advocates to maintain services while being described as a critical moment for local health access.
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