News Summary
Planned Parenthood will close its two remaining clinics in Louisiana, located in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, by September 30, 2025. The organization, which has provided healthcare services in the state for over 40 years, cited political pressures, funding issues, and legislative actions as reasons for this decision. The closures will significantly impact reproductive healthcare access for many patients in Louisiana, with challenges exacerbated by the recent abortion ban following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
New Orleans, LA
Planned Parenthood will close its two remaining clinics in Louisiana located in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, effective September 30, 2025. The organization, which has been providing health services in the state for over 40 years since opening its first clinic in New Orleans in 1984, attributed the closures to ongoing political pressures, funding difficulties, and legislative actions that have hindered operations.
The Baton Rouge clinic is situated on Government Street, while the New Orleans location is at South Claiborne Avenue. These clinics offered essential healthcare services, including birth control, cancer screenings, and sexually transmitted disease testing. In the past year, more than 10,600 patients benefitted from the services provided by Planned Parenthood in Louisiana.
Following a series of challenges, it is worth noting that the clinics were never licensed to provide abortion services. The decision to close arose through what the organization has described as “battles” in the political landscape, particularly citing actions from the Trump administration that aimed to reduce federal funding to clinics like theirs. More than half of the patients served by Planned Parenthood clinics in Louisiana rely on Medicaid for their coverage.
Current Legal and Economic Challenges
A federal judge has recently temporarily blocked efforts by the Trump administration to terminate Medicaid payments to health centers like Planned Parenthood. However, despite this temporary protection, the organization is still facing insurmountable obstacles that have led to its decision to shut down operations in the state.
Additionally, Planned Parenthood plans to close two of its six clinics in Houston, Texas, transferring operations to another organization amid similar funding issues. This reflects a broader trend in which the organization is grappling with challenges to its operations across the United States, with concerns that as many as 200 health centers could close in the near future due to ongoing funding and policy issues.
Impact of the Abortion Ban
The backdrop of these closures includes significant legal changes that have occurred in Louisiana. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, the state enacted a near-total ban on abortions. Despite these restrictions, Planned Parenthood has continued to assist Louisiana residents seeking abortion care out of state, including support for expenses related to travel and lodging.
In light of the impending closure, representatives from organizations opposing Planned Parenthood, such as Louisiana Right to Life, have hailed the decision as a victory for the pro-life movement. Local political figures, including Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill, have also expressed support for the closures, framing them as a significant step against abortion providers in the state.
Future Uncertain
The future of the South Claiborne property in New Orleans remains uncertain, with reports indicating that potential legal actions from donors could arise regarding the property’s sale after closure. During the remaining operational period until September 30, Planned Parenthood has committed to continuing its healthcare services to the community.
While the organization has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including significant legal battles to obtain abortion service licenses, its impact in Louisiana through the provision of healthcare services cannot be understated. The loss of the Baton Rouge and New Orleans clinics marks a substantial shift in reproductive healthcare availability in the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NOLA: Planned Parenthood to cease operations in Louisiana
- Wikipedia: Planned Parenthood
- Fox 8: Abortions rise as Planned Parenthood prepares to close
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Abortion
- Fox News: Pro-life group celebrates Planned Parenthood’s closing
- Google Search: Planned Parenthood Louisiana closure
- WAFB: Planned Parenthood closing remaining Louisiana clinics
- Axios: Planned Parenthood closes Louisiana
- WDSU: Louisiana Planned Parenthood locations closing
- LA Illuminator: Planned Parenthood Louisiana news
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
