New Senate Report Finds Patients Lost Access to Care After Planned Parenthood “Defunding”

Led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and joined by other Senate Democrats, the report highlights the severe health impacts of blocking Medicaid patients from using their insurance at Planned Parenthood health centers

In the six months President Trump and Congressional Republicans' provision "defunding" Planned Parenthood health centers has been in effect, breast exam visits fell by 25% compared to the same period in a previous year, delaying detection and life-saving preventive care

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, U.S. Senators led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) released a new report detailing the extreme harm that has come from trying to block millions of patients from using their Medicaid insurance at Planned Parenthood health centers. The report marks six months since President Trump and congressional Republicans' provision "defunding" Planned Parenthood took effect.

As the reportmakes clear, it has become significantly harder for people to get the affordable health care they need. Separate researchshows that other Federally Qualified Health Centers cannot readily replace Planned Parenthood health centers, leaving patients with nowhere to go for essential carein their communities. The report notes that the number of people accessing reproductive health care at Planned Parenthood health centers dropped sharply in November and December of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024:

Tens of thousands of patients across the country have been forced to forgo essential health care, including birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and more at Planned Parenthood health centers. Twenty-three Planned Parenthood health centers have closed since H.R. 1 was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

President Trump and congressional Republicans "defunding" Planned Parenthood health centers has disrupted access to care, made health care more expensive and harder to get, exacerbated provider shortages, expanded rural health care deserts, and made it harder for people to get abortion care - even in states where abortion is legal. And now, despite the severe damage to people's health and lives, congressional Republicans want to "defund" Planned Parenthood permanently.

In response to the report's findings, Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, released the following statement:

"President Trump and his backers in Congress 'defunded' Planned Parenthood to make it harder for everyone, everywhere to get an abortion. They did so knowing their actions would make birth control, wellness exams, cancer screenings and other essential health care more expensive and harder to get for millions of people. In the six months since the law took effect, the real cost of their actions has become clear: Over twenty Planned Parenthood health centers have been forced to close, and tens of thousands of people now have few, if any, options to get the lifesaving care they need. We are grateful to Senate Minority Leader Schumer and Senators Warren and Wyden for leading on this report and amplifying the real-life harms of 'defunding' Planned Parenthood health centers. This work, and this fight, have never been more urgent, as Republicans in Congress call to make the 'defund' law permanent."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) issued the following statement:

"Last year - Republicans forced their unpopular and radical policies on the country with a backdoor nationwide abortion ban. Despite claiming to believe that states should dictate abortion policy, Republicans are pushing their anti-choice agenda on communities across the U.S. In the months since the "Big, Ugly Betrayal" became law, American families have already started feeling the pain of Republicans' efforts to 'defund' Planned Parenthood: care is worse, costs are higher, and barriers for patients are more significant. Although these cuts last for only a year, our report has found that the impact of this lack of funding could be permanent and far-reaching. Democrats won't let this stand. Senate Democrats are fighting tooth and nail for women's right to choice and access to safe, affordable, and available health care."

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) issued the following statement:

"Six months later, we're seeing exactly how Donald Trump and Republicans' political stunt is hurting Americans and driving up health care costs. This is more than a backdoor abortion ban - it's also ripping away Americans' access to essential services like primary care and cancer screenings. Nobody benefits when people are getting fewer critical exams, paying more for care, or fully forgoing the health care they need. We need to fight back against Republican attacks on Americans' health care and make sure they can't make this dangerous provision permanent."

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) issued the following statement:

"Republicans used their Big Ugly Bill to fulfill their fantasies of 'defunding' Planned Parenthood all so they could secure their Fox News talking points. This report lays bare exactly how the GOP's war on reproductive health care is denying women the life-saving health care they depend on and demonstrates the urgent need to prevent the further erosion of the rights of women to make their own health care decisions."

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Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care.Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.