Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has announced that the state will cover the gap caused by the federal government’s defunding of Planned Parenthood.
On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which included a one-year moratorium on Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood that went into effect as soon as the bill was signed.
Medicaid is one of the primary payers for Planned Parenthood, covering services including preventative care and cancer screenings. Medicaid Funds cannot be used to pay for abortion services.
In Washington, Planned Parenthood receives at least $22 million a year in Medicaid funding, which includes at least $11 million from the federal government. It’s one of Washington’s preeminent Medicaid providers.
Planned Parenthood is currently in court challenging the federal cut to their funding. If that litigation is not successful, Governor Ferguson will make state funding available to cover the gap to ensure Washingtonians continue to have access to this important care.
