MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin resumed scheduling abortions on Monday after a nearly monthlong pause due to federal Medicaid funding cuts in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill that took effect at the beginning of October.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin stated it could restart scheduling abortions because it no longer qualifies as a 'prohibited entity' under the new federal law, thus enabling it to receive Medicaid funding.

The organization has relinquished its designation as an 'essential community provider' as defined under the Affordable Care Act. According to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin President and CEO Tanya Atkinson, the decision to drop this designation will not change abortion costs or affect funding.

'At this point, in all of our research and analysis, we really shouldn’t see much of an impact on patient access,' Atkinson stated. 'If relinquishing this does ultimately impact our bottom line, then we will have to understand what that path forward is.'

A National Fight Over Abortion Funding

Abortion funding has faced challenges throughout the U.S., especially for affiliates of Planned Parenthood — the largest provider. The landscape has frequently changed since the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2022 allowing states to impose abortion bans. Currently, 12 states enforce total bans on abortion with limited exceptions, while four states have restrictions after about six weeks’ gestation.

Planned Parenthood has warned that nearly half of its clinics providing abortion services may shut down due to new federal laws curbing Medicaid funding for services other than abortion.

In Wisconsin, where abortion is legal, the Republican-controlled Legislature has instituted numerous laws restricting access. Notably, Wisconsin was the only state where Planned Parenthood halted all abortions due to the new federal regulation.

Given the complexities of abortion laws across states, Planned Parenthood affiliates are responding in diverse ways. For instance, in Arizona, the organization ceased accepting Medicaid while continuing to offer abortion services.

Impact on Wisconsin Abortion Clinics

The month-long suspension of abortion services in Wisconsin led women to seek alternatives, including traveling to clinics in Chicago, located within a three-hour drive. Other clinics, such as Affiliated Medical Services and Care for All, continue to offer abortion in Milwaukee.

Atkinson conceded it was difficult to assess how many women were impacted during the service pause, lacking specific figures on those forced to find services elsewhere.

Planned Parenthood serves about 50,000 individuals annually, with around 60% depending on Medicaid. Finding ways to maintain Medicaid funding was a priority, leading to dropping the 'Essential Community Provider' status.

Wisconsin participates in a multi-state federal lawsuit challenging provisions of the law. A federal appeals court ruled in September that the government could suspend funding while legal challenges to the law progressed.

Ramifications for Medicaid

Planned Parenthood indicated that a Sept. 29 court filing from the U.S. Health and Human Services department stated that family planning organizations could continue billing Medicaid if they rescinded either their tax-exempt status or essential community provider designation. By relinquishing that status, Planned Parenthood can now continue to receive federal Medicaid funds while retaining its tax-exempt status.

The 'essential community provider' designation was initially granted to aid organizations in being considered network providers for private health insurance billing, according to Planned Parenthood.

Atkinson termed the change a 'nuanced provision' of the law, expressing confidence it would not hinder Planned Parenthood’s capabilities to provide abortions and additional services.

Planned Parenthood offers a wide range of services, including cancer screenings and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. Although federal Medicaid funding has not contributed to abortion services, affiliates were reliant on Medicaid for operational support. The organization anticipates a growth in non-abortion services in response to the new law.

Between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, Planned Parenthood is expected to perform approximately 3,727 abortions in Wisconsin.