* I’m sure more will come out on this. Lots of rumors floating around about the reasons. Also, as you’ll recall, Planned Parenthood of Illinois announced earlier this month that its president and CEO Jennifer Welch was stepping down. Emphasis in this press release was added by me…

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS RESTRUCTURES TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE FUTURE
PPIL Closing Four Health Centers, Downsizing Administrative Staff, Expanding Care at Key Locations and Increasing Patient Care Through Telehealth

Realignment Needed due to Increase Patient Volume + Low Reimbursement Rates from Insurers + Rising Health Care Costs

CHICAGO – Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) is facing a financial shortfall brought on by rising health care costs for in-person care, increase in patient volume needing financial assistance, uncertain patient care landscape under a new national political administration, and the need to create a sustainable future after the overturning of Roe v Wade. To ensure financial health into the future, PPIL has made the difficult decision to close four health centers; Ottawa, Decatur, and Bloomington in Central Illinois and Englewood in Chicago. None of these health centers provide procedural abortion care. Patients will be welcomed at the 13 other health centers across the state and PPIL is expanding patient care at Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, Roseland and Waukegan and through the PPDirect app to minimize patient disruption. Patients will be welcomed at the 13 other health centers across the state. PPIL is planning on expanding appointment availability and access at the Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, and Roseland health centers as well as expanding virtual options via telehealth appointments and the PPDirect app to minimize patient disruption. [Updated by PPIL]

“Patient care is and will always be our number one priority,” said Interim President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois Tonya Tucker. “We made plans for the patient surge however rising care costs and lower reimbursement rates from insurers is jeopardizing PPIL’s sustainability. Unfortunately, this is the reality many other Planned Parenthood affiliates are facing in the rapidly evolving health care environment. We are making the difficult decisions today so we can continue providing care tomorrow and well into the future.”

Illinois has seen the highest volume of abortion patients coming from other states. Since Roe was overturned in 2022, PPIL has seen a a 47% increase in overall abortion care patients and an unprecedented number of out-of-state patients traveling from more than 40 other states making up nearly a quarter (25%) of our overall abortion patients (before the Dobbs decision it was 3-5%). However, that increase in patient volume, coupled with low reimbursement rates from insurers and rising costs of providing care has resulted in PPIL needing to realign its health centers and staffing.

Appointments at the four health centers will end in March 2025. Patient appointments at Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, Roseland and Waukegan will expand to meet patient demand as needed.

PPIL is also downsizing its administrative staff proportionally to match the changes in the health centers. Where possible, health center staff being displaced by the closures will be offered comparable positions at other locations or transitioned to telehealth.

To meet patient needs through digital means, beginning in February 2025, PPIL is offering medication abortion through the PPDirect app. Currently, PPIL provides birth control, UTI treatment, at-home STI testing and emergency contraception through PPDirect. Adding medication abortion to the suite of services expands access, reduces wait times at health centers and provides the right care patients need wherever they are.

Patients using PPDirect fill out a questionnaire that is reviewed by a PPIL medical professional. PPIL either mails the medication abortion pills to the qualified patients or works with them to schedule an appointment at a health center. Patients can receive follow up care at a PPIL health center if needed and they can make an appointment through the PPDirect app.

“Offering medication abortion through the PPDirect app allows patients to connect with us through their phone,” said Dr. Virgil Reid, Interim Chief Medical Officer. “This expands access because patients can receive the same great care they associate with Planned Parenthood from the comfort of wherever they are in the state. And we are there to answer any questions or schedule an in-person appointment if needed.”

PPIL has been around for 100 years and is committed to being here for our community’s future generations. The decision to close health centers and downsize staff is difficult but necessary to operate a sustainable organization that can continue to provide our community with essential health care and education. PPIL continues to offer medication and procedural abortion, birth control, gender-affirming care, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, at health centers across the state. For more information visit ppil.org.

Fascinating timing considering what’s going on in DC right now.

…Adding… Personal PAC CEO Sarah Garza Resnick…

“Illinois remains a critical access point for reproductive care and family planning for people from all across the country. Illinois independent providers, abortion funds and advocacy organizations are prepared to stand in the breach and make sure everyone seeking care in Illinois can continue to access what they need.”