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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio’s move to cut off Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood could soon create a healthcare access crisis for tens of thousands of vulnerable patients across the state—especially in communities where few affordable alternatives exist. In Wednesday’s episode of the Today in Ohio podcast, hosts examined the fallout from the state’s decision to terminate Planned Parenthood’s Medicaid provider status under a new federal budget law. The change would block reimbursements for contraception, cancer screenings, and STD testing — not abortion services, which are already excluded from Medicaid coverage. “And this is really important. We know Planned Parenthood gets targeted because of the abortion services they provide here, but these are healthcare things, like cancer screenings, where the Medicaid reimbursement would be withheld for a health care provider that serves more than 27,000 Ohioans,” explained Today in Ohio co-host Courtney Astolfi. Planned Parenthood has requested an administrative hearing to challenge the state’s interpretation of the law, but advocates say the damage could be immediate and widespread. The organization has already endured years of funding cuts that forced the closure of clinics in Cleveland, Springfield and Hamilton — and these new restrictions could push it closer to collapse. “It is so painful to think about how much collateral damage there could be here, because a lot of people think about abortion when they think about Planned Parenthood. Medicaid already doesn’t cover that in almost all cases,” noted co-host Leila Atassi. “This is about people losing access to all of those services that you mentioned, Courtney, the cancer screenings, STD testing, and preventive care in communities where Planned Parenthood might be the only affordable provider.” When asked if other clinics will be able to absorb that many new patients, or if we are looking at widening gaps in basic healthcare access across the state, Astolfi said: “I’m not really sure how to conclude anything other than the latter, especially because we know Planned Parenthood is already up against it because of prior rounds of funding cuts.” The concern, the hosts said, goes far beyond Planned Parenthood’s future — it’s about the thousands of low-income Ohioans who depend on its care. Without access to affordable screenings, birth control and testing, many may simply go without preventive health services altogether. Public health experts warn that cutting off Medicaid reimbursements could drive up long-term healthcare costs and worsen health outcomes statewide. Fewer clinics mean fewer cancer screenings, more untreated infections, and more patients forced to choose between medical care and other basic needs. Listen to the discussion here. Read more Today in Ohio news Ohio Supreme Court revisits DeWine’s rejection of $900M in pandemic aid — but don’t expect a reversal Ohio’s war on nonprofit tax breaks is starting with... The Nature Conservancy?! Fair maps? Forget it. Ohio Republicans are running out the clock — again
