Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast will close two of its six clinics in the Houston area as part of an organizational restructure. The affected facilities, the Prevention Park and Southwest health centers, are set to cease operations on September 30, 2023. Following these closures, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas will assume control of the remaining four health centers in Houston starting October 1, 2023.
Operating independently, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast manages six clinics in Houston and two in Louisiana. The decision to close the two clinics reflects broader challenges facing the organization and is tied to ongoing political pressures impacting access to reproductive healthcare. According to Melaney Linton, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, the organization is coping with “relentless, coordinated efforts to dismantle access to sexual and reproductive healthcare across our region.”
The restructuring follows a significant legal ruling in Massachusetts, where a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the U.S. government from cutting Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood affiliates that do not provide abortion services. This ruling comes amid ongoing legal battles with the Trump administration, which has sought to eliminate federal funding for abortion providers through recent tax legislation.
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast ceased providing abortion services in Texas in 2021 after the implementation of Senate Bill 8, a law that significantly restricted access to abortion in the state. Despite this, the Texas affiliates have continued to face legislative challenges as state officials aim to reduce the organization’s involvement in state-funded health programs.
Linton expressed the emotional toll of the clinic closures, stating, “Having to reduce PPGC’s future footprint in Houston is heartbreaking, infuriating, and the direct result of these sustained political attacks.” She emphasized that consolidating services would help minimize the impact on patients and ensure access to essential healthcare in the long term.
The organization will continue to provide services until the closure date, including birth control, cancer screenings, gender-affirming care, HPV vaccinations, and STI testing and treatment. A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast noted that the decision to restructure was made after thorough evaluation of the current healthcare landscape, which includes rising costs, low reimbursement rates, workforce shortages, and inadequate public health infrastructure.
The impact of the restructuring will primarily affect staff at the two closing clinics. The Texas division plans to hire a limited number of positions, prioritizing existing staff members from the Gulf Coast affiliate for these roles. Staff members will have the opportunity to apply for these positions through an internal portal.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas operates a total of 22 health centers across the state, ensuring continuity of care for patients in the region. As the healthcare environment continues to evolve, both organizations aim to adapt and maintain essential services in the face of significant challenges.
