Yesterday, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order to halt any state funding to Planned Parenthood. This follows a U.S. Senate vote in July that aimed to block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds.  

In response, Reproductive Health Collaborative Nebraska, the state’s Title X grantee and public health leader, issued the following statement: 

“State Medicaid reimbursements are a component of the critical patchwork of funding for family planning services,” said Joanna M. Murray, Executive Director. “State dollars already do not pay for abortion care.” 

As part of Reproductive Health Collaborative’s statewide network with 30 clinical service locations, Planned Parenthood works alongside nine other agencies to support the health of Nebraskans by providing essential healthcare services, including contraceptive counseling, pregnancy testing, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and basic infertility services to thousands of clients. 

Without reimbursements for these services, many Nebraskans will go without care. Between sites in Omaha and Lincoln, more than 9,000 clients in the RHCN network rely on Planned Parenthood’s health centers. Finding another provider is not an option in many cases, as private health centers often do not accept clients without insurance, leaving uninsured and low-income individuals without access to quality healthcare.  In the past year, of clients seen at Nebraska Planned Parenthood clinics: 

  • 24% were uninsured  
  • 17.7% listed the payer for the visit as Medicaid 
  • 45% of clients were living at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) 
  • 77% of clients were living at or below 250% of the FPL 

“Our network’s sliding scale model makes it possible for anyone to receive these services, whether they have insurance or not. With any loss of funding, our network will feel the strain, and our state’s health will suffer,” Murray said. 

In the last year, 16.7% of Planned Parenthood North Central States’ clients receiving family planning services came from outside of Douglas or Lancaster counties, where Planned Parenthood’s Nebraska health centers are located, illustrating the current lack of access to nearby services for so many. 

“Between growing provider shortages and clinic closures, the maternal health crisis, contraceptive deserts, and the uncertainty of Title X’s future, we’re reaching a tipping point,” said Murray. “To prioritize the health of Nebraska moms, families, and communities, lawmakers must act to support and invest in family planning services.” 

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Reproductive Health Collaborative is a 501(c)(3) committed to ensuring that all Nebraskans have equitable access to high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare. We support this access and our partners by facilitating braided federal and private funding, serving as a trusted and approachable advisor, and advancing a statewide network. Please contact Sarah Wengert, Director of Communications & Resource Development, at sarah@rhcnebraska.org with questions or to request comment.