News Summary
Planned Parenthood has closed its clinics in Baton Rouge and New Orleans as of September 30, 2025, after 40 years of operation in Louisiana. These closures are attributed to political pressures and funding cuts, impacting essential health services for the community. Despite not providing abortion services, the clinics were crucial in offering care like STI testing and family planning. The closures signify a broader trend affecting reproductive health access across the country, as community organizations seek solutions to counteract the health care gap.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Planned Parenthood has officially closed its clinics in Baton Rouge and New Orleans as of September 30, 2025, marking the end of more than 40 years of operation in the state. These closures come in response to what the organization describes as “compounding political attacks” and a dismantling of public health infrastructure that have severely impacted its ability to provide services.
The recent closure is linked to a court ruling that permitted the Trump administration’s defunding of Planned Parenthood, which has now affected Louisiana health centers by limiting their capability to accept Medicaid reimbursements. Since 2021, Medicaid recipients in Texas have been barred from accessing Planned Parenthood services, and now this ruling extends its impact to Louisiana.
The clinics in Baton Rouge and New Orleans have never provided abortion services, according to the New Orleans Health Department. However, they have played a significant role in offering essential health services to the community. Last year alone, the New Orleans clinic catered to approximately 16,000 patients seeking care for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and nearly 9,000 individuals seeking family planning care, such as birth control and pregnancy tests.
Combined, the clinics conducted nearly 30,000 STI tests, 1,800 cancer screenings, and 655 ultrasounds, serving as a vital resource for uninsured or underinsured individuals in Louisiana. Community leaders are working to explore alternative solutions to support sexual and reproductive health following the closures.
Political Reactions and Implications
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has publicly praised the closures, framing them as a victory for the pro-life movement and a win for both mothers and babies. He has been supported by Attorney General Liz Murrill, who criticized Planned Parenthood, alleging that the organization promotes death while asserting that the state will focus on protecting women and babies.
The closure of these clinics adds to Planned Parenthood’s diminishing presence in several states. In addition to Louisiana, the organization has scaled back in Wyoming, Mississippi, and North Dakota, with a warning that around 200 of its clinics nationwide might face the same fate due to recent federal policy changes and funding cuts.
Impact on Public Health
The New Orleans Health Department has highlighted the significant role that these clinics played in providing health care access to vulnerable populations. Jeannie Donovan from the department indicated that the challenges for public health clinics in Louisiana are likely to continue and escalate given the current legislative climate, which is increasingly tightening restrictions on abortion and related healthcare services.
Despite a push for the closure by pro-life advocates, local community organizations are stepping up efforts to find ways to fill the gap left by these clinic closures. They are actively exploring strategies to maintain access to sexual and reproductive health services for the community to ensure that individuals still have access to necessary health care.
Conclusion
With the recent closures of Planned Parenthood clinics in Louisiana, a significant change in the landscape of public health services is underway. The organization’s departure exemplifies the ongoing tension between political ideologies and access to healthcare, particularly concerning sexual and reproductive services. The impact of these closures will be felt across the community, particularly among those who relied on these clinics for essential health care.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- CBS News
- Wikipedia: Planned Parenthood
- AP News
- Google Search: Planned Parenthood Louisiana closure
- Fox 8 Live
- Google Scholar: Planned Parenthood services Louisiana
- LSU Reveille
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Reproductive Health
- WWL TV
- Google News: Planned Parenthood Louisiana impact
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.
