Planned Parenthood in Decatur, Bloomington closing with rising patient needs

(WAND) — Planned Parenthood of Illinois announced Wednesday the closing of locations in Decatur, Bloomington, Ottawa, and Englewood.

The closures are reportedly due to a financial shortfall brought on by rising health care costs for in-person care, an increase in patient volume needing financial assistance, "uncertain patient care landscape under a new national political administration, and the need to create a sustainable future after the overturning of Roe v Wade," PPIL said.

"To ensure financial health into the future, PPIL has made the difficult decision to close four health centers; Ottawa, Decatur, and Bloomington in Central Illinois and Englewood in Chicago," PPIL said. None of those health centers provide procedural abortion care.

PPIL will still have 13 other health centers across the state.

The organization is planning on expanding appointment availability and access at the Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, and Roseland health centers as well as expanding virtual options via telehealth appointments and the PPDirect app to minimize patient disruption.

“Patient care is and will always be our number one priority,” said Interim President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois Tonya Tucker. “We made plans for the patient surge however rising care costs and lower reimbursement rates from insurers is jeopardizing PPIL’s sustainability. Unfortunately, this is the reality many other Planned Parenthood affiliates are facing in the rapidly evolving health care environment. We are making the difficult decisions today so we can continue providing care tomorrow and well into the future.”

Illinois has seen the highest volume of abortion patients coming from other states. Since Roe was overturned in 2022, PPIL has seen a 47% increase in overall abortion care patients and patients traveling from more than 40 other states making up nearly a quarter (25%) of overall abortion patients (before the Dobbs decision it was 3-5%).

Appointments at the four health centers will end in March 2025. Patient appointments at Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, Roseland and Waukegan will expand to meet patient demand as needed.

PPIL is also downsizing its administrative staff to match the changes in the health centers. Where possible, health center staff being displaced by the closures will be offered comparable positions at other locations or transitioned to telehealth, PPIL said.

Starting in February 2025, PPIL is offering medication abortion through the PPDirect app. Currently, PPIL provides birth control, UTI treatment, at-home STI testing and emergency contraception through PPDirect.

Patients using PPDirect fill out a questionnaire that is reviewed by a PPIL medical professional. PPIL either mails the medication abortion pills to the qualified patients or works with them to schedule an appointment at a health center. Patients can receive follow up care at a PPIL health center if needed and they can make an appointment through the PPDirect app.

“Offering medication abortion through the PPDirect app allows patients to connect with us through their phone,” said Dr. Virgil Reid, Interim Chief Medical Officer. “This expands access because patients can receive the same great care they associate with Planned Parenthood from the comfort of wherever they are in the state. And we are there to answer any questions or schedule an in-person appointment if needed.”

Megan Jeyifo, Executive Director of Chicago Abortion Fund issued the following statement:

“At the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF), we recognize the immense responsibility Illinois providers, abortion fund staff, and advocates have to support the thousands of people who rely on us for abortion care. We also are intensely aware of the financial strain that this reality has caused since the Dobbs decision, particularly as the state fielding the highest increase of abortions nationwide. As Illinois’ statewide abortion fund, we partner with Planned Parenthood of Illinois and independent clinics across the region, decision-makers across all levels of government, and advocates to connect abortion seekers coming to Illinois to get the care they want, need and deserve. This work will continue.

Illinois remains a critical national access point for abortion care, and CAF remains a resource for people facing barriers to this time-sensitive, essential healthcare in our state, no matter where they call home. Now and in the coming months, our Helpline Team is on standby to ensure that everyone, including people in communities facing clinic closures, can access abortion care on the timeline and at the location that works best for them.”