California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a significant bill that allocates $90 million to Planned Parenthood clinics across the state. This funding is intended to counteract cuts to Medicaid as mandated by federal policies. The decision was announced during a signing ceremony on February 11, 2026, where Newsom expressed pride in supporting the organization, which plays a crucial role in providing healthcare services to women.
“These cuts were designed to attack and assault Planned Parenthood,” Newsom stated emphatically. He clarified that the reductions were not merely about abortion services but were aimed at broader women’s health services, including wellness screenings. He criticized former President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for what he described as a “calculated attack on reproductive freedom.”
The federal government, through the OBBBA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), previously prohibited states from using federal Medicaid dollars to reimburse non-abortion services for Planned Parenthood patients for a year. This restriction has caused significant financial strain on the organization, which operates 109 clinics in California alone. Funding for these clinics is expected to resume in July 2026.
Planned Parenthood’s services extend beyond abortions, with its clinics providing over 402,000 abortions, 2.2 million contraceptive services, and 5 million STI tests and treatments nationwide. Anti-abortion advocates argue that any funding received by Planned Parenthood indirectly supports abortion services, claiming that taxpayer money for other health services allows the organization to allocate funds elsewhere.
In response to the financial difficulties faced by Planned Parenthood due to federal Medicaid cuts, California’s legislature had previously approved $145 million in funding last fall. Newsom had initially proposed $60 million for the 2026-27 budget, but legislators insisted on increasing the amount to $90 million to ensure the clinics’ operations, particularly in rural areas of the state.
During the signing ceremony, Newsom highlighted that women from states with strict abortion laws, such as Idaho, travel to California to access reproductive healthcare services. He stated that maintaining these clinics is essential for reflecting the values of California.
The topic of reproductive rights has sparked intense debate nationwide, with various voices weighing in. During a press conference, Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, criticized the current political climate regarding women’s rights. “You wonder why we have such a horrific war on women in this country,” she remarked, addressing the lack of action from Republicans.
California’s commitment to supporting women’s health services through this funding initiative underscores the state’s stance on reproductive rights amidst ongoing national controversies. The allocation of these funds reflects California’s ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive healthcare access, particularly in the wake of federal restrictions that have affected many organizations like Planned Parenthood.
