FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) — The U.S. Senate voted to defund Planned Parenthood, advancing a bill that could block millions nationwide, including thousands of Hoosiers, from accessing basic care through Medicaid and other public programs.
Rebecca Gibron, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaiʻi, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, expressed concerns about the impact of the bill if it becomes law.
“Today’s vote puts millions of lives at risk across the country, including here in Indiana, meaning if this bill becomes law, the consequences will be catastrophic. Defunding Planned Parenthood isn’t about saving money—it’s about denying people care,” Gibron said.
Jennifer M. Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, criticized Indiana Senators Jim Banks and Todd Young for their votes.
“This vote is a disgrace. Senators Jim Banks and Todd Young joined the extremist majority in the Senate and failed Hoosiers today. They chose to ignore the will of the people—who overwhelmingly support access to reproductive health care and oppose this bill—and hand a win to anti-abortion extremists and billionaires,” Allen said.
U.S. Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) opposes abortion access and describes Planned Parenthood as a “radical abortion group.” As a rigorous anti-abortion advocate, Banks hopes to prevent tax dollars from being spent on abortion access programs.
The bill now heads for negotiation between the House and Senate. Both versions include measures that could impact patients dependent on Planned Parenthood for care.
Gibron highlighted the financial implications for Indiana’s health system.
“Our health centers save Indiana nearly $13 million each year by preventing unplanned pregnancies, catching cancers early, and controlling the spread of STIs. Stripping that care away, especially now—amid rural hospital closures, a maternal mortality crisis, and a deepening provider shortage—would push an already broken system past the brink,” Gibron said.
One-third of Planned Parenthood patients rely on Medicaid for care. Blocking access for these patients would challenge Indiana’s safety net, requiring Federally Qualified Health Centers to increase contraceptive care by 64 percent and STI care by 417 percent.
Allen urged Indiana’s Congressional delegation to oppose the bill.
“This fight isn’t over—not even close. The House still has the opportunity to kill this catastrophic bill. We call on Indiana’s Congressional delegation to do what’s right and vote down the final bill. Hoosiers deserve more health care, not less,” Allen said.
The Senate vote, alongside the Supreme Court’s Medina v. South Carolina decision, is seen as part of a broader effort to restrict reproductive health access. In Indiana, where there is already an extreme abortion ban, defunding Planned Parenthood could have devastating effects, the organization says.
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