MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) has announced the closure of Marquette’s location, along with clinics in Petoskey and Jackson. They are set to close April 30, seeing their final patients on April 25.
The change comes from the confirmation that nine affiliates of Planned Parenthood, have so far received notice that their Title X funding would be frozen in April, over apparent violation of President Trump’s D.E.I. Executive Order in January.
Title X funds family planning services, such as supporting access to birth control, STI testing and treatment, and cancer screenings, and does not fund abortion or gender affirming care. In preparation of potentially losing millions in funding, Michigan’s organization has decided to close the three locations.
“Unfortunately, this is the reality when politicians say they are going to defund Planned Parenthood,” says PPMI Chief External Affairs Officer Ashlea Phenicie. “The financial realities that we face are multimillion dollar losses.”
The organization is adjusting to the changes by offering online telehealth access to those in need of medications such as birth controls and morning-after pills such as Plan B.
“The majority of services that were provided at our brick-and-mortar health center will remain available through our virtual health center,” said Phenicie. “And that does include medication abortion, it does include gender-affirming hormone therapy, it includes most birth control methods other than IUD’s and arm implants.”
Also offered online, assistants will help patients with the shift to remote access, as well as arranging transportation to in-person visits. Planned Parenthood says that advocating and fighting for these rights for everyone will continue to remain a top priority.
“We are going to do everything we can to protect as much access to care as possible,” said Phenicie. “Supporting lawsuits, being out in the street, sharing stories about the impact this has on real people.”
After the closure, the nearest location from the up will be in Green Bay, Wisconsin, or Traverse City, Michigan. Both are at least a three hour drive away.
Many people in the Marquette area have already begun contacting Michigan’s Planned Parenthood administration in Ann Arbor, opposing their decision.
The Marquette County Democratic Party has also released a statement regarding the announcement saying, “Planned Parenthood has long put into practice values that Democrats hold dear, such as personal autonomy, women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and affordable access to healthcare services. The Marquette County Democratic Party is committed to upholding these values, and we intend to continue to work and advocate tirelessly for these services for our neighbors and fellow Yoopers.”
For the official press release from Planned Parenthood, click here.
Contacts for Planned Parenthood of Michigan can be found at plannedparenthood.org.
