PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Family Planning, a network of medical clinics dedicated to serving low-income residents across the state, has announced it will cease its primary care operations due to funding cuts instituted by the Trump administration that specifically target abortion providers.
The organization operates 18 clinics and provides a wide array of services, including cancer screenings, STD testing, and contraception, with abortions representing just a small fraction of its overall services. The funding cut, which affects Medicaid reimbursements for abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, has placed a significant financial strain on the network.
George Hill, president of Maine Family Planning, remarked on the ramifications of this decision, noting that the network served over 600 patients in its primary care practices last year. He expressed concern for the patients who will struggle to find new providers, particularly among the rural and impoverished populations that rely on these services.
“Informing our patients that we will no longer be able to see them has been devastating, especially for those who might forgo care altogether due to the difficulty of finding a new provider,” Hill said.
The Maine Family Planning network typically receives around $1.9 million in Medicaid reimbursements annually, but with the primary care closures, approximately 8,000 patients will be impacted. The organization had given its patients prior notice about the shutdown.
Maine Family Planning has been actively fighting to restore its funding in federal court, facing setbacks including a ruling against reinstating funds during ongoing litigation. The Center for Reproductive Rights represents Maine Family Planning and is committed to continuing the legal fight against this funding loss, a move it sees as part of a broader strategy to undermine reproductive healthcare access across the nation, even in states like Maine that uphold abortion rights.
