Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin just announced it will pause abortion services starting next week. This isn't because of a court ruling, but because of a dangerous cut to Medicaid funding buried in a federal spending bill.

This is not just a blow to reproductive rights. It's a full-scale attack on basic health care access for tens of thousands of Wisconsinites, especially those with low incomes who rely on Medicaid. The law, signed by President Donald Trump, blocks Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursement for critical non-abortion services like STI treatment, cancer screenings, birth control, and more.

Let’s be clear. Federal Medicaid dollars were never used to pay for abortions. But these funds kept clinics open and allowed providers to offer a wide range of essential care. Without them, services will vanish. Already, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin says it can’t schedule any new abortion appointments after Tuesday. Other services will likely follow.

This is a backdoor abortion ban. But it’s also something even bigger. It’s an assault on preventive care, on patient choice, and on public health infrastructure that has served over 50,000 people in Wisconsin annually. For many, Planned Parenthood is their only source of care.

We call on Governor Tony Evers, the Wisconsin State Legislature, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to take immediate action to:

• Reinstate or replace Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood clinics in Wisconsin
• Defend access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion
• Prevent further closures or service cuts in medically underserved communities

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin has vowed to keep fighting in court, but they can’t do it alone. We need our state leaders to step up and shield patients from federal overreach.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about health care. It’s about whether the people of Wisconsin will be forced to cross state lines just to receive a legal and safe medical procedure. It’s about whether anyone should lose access to cancer screenings or birth control because of who their provider is.

Add your name to demand urgent action before more lives are affected.

Photo: AP Photo/Kevin Wang