Planned Parenthood to close Manhattan clinic due to finances

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York is selling its property at 26 Bleecker St. in SoHo and will close its clinic there. This decision comes as the organization faces financial challenges. The SoHo clinic is the only one remaining in Manhattan. The building will be listed for $39 million. Wendy Stark, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, stated that the building requires costly maintenance and is not suitable for future healthcare needs. The Manhattan clinic saw over 18,000 patients last year. Planned Parenthood has already closed four clinics in New York State recently due to financial issues. This includes one on Staten Island and a reduction in some services. The organization has also stopped offering abortions after 20 weeks at the Manhattan clinic. Stark indicated that proceeds from the sale will help fund health centers in underserved areas like the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. The organization struggles with rising costs, such as wages and supplies. Additionally, it receives inadequate Medicaid reimbursements. The uncertainty surrounding Medicaid is increasing, as some Republican lawmakers are pushing for funding cuts. Planned Parenthood is seeking new funding that does not rely on Medicaid in upcoming state and city budgets. Despite the challenges, Stark insisted that Planned Parenthood provides safe and quality care. She mentioned that it may eventually reopen a clinic in Manhattan, but there are no current plans to do so. The closure of the SoHo clinic will require state approval, detailing the impacts on access to care. Last year, Planned Parenthood faced a financial gap of $31 million after spending around $67 million on healthcare services but receiving only about $36 million in reimbursements. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed budget grants for abortion providers, including funds to enhance abortion services. Planned Parenthood’s advocacy arm is requesting an increase in these funds to support existing services. The group also seeks additional funding for sexual health education for young people in the upcoming budget.