Planned Parenthood Turns on Gavin Newsom
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom's proposed $322 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year includes a $500 million cut to health care provider payments funded by Proposition 56, a move that Planned Parenthood says would significantly hinder its ability to offer essential health services across the state.
Newsweek contacted Newsom's office and Planned Parenthood for comment.
Why It Matters
The elimination of these funds would deeply affect organizations such as Planned Parenthood, which relies on the money to serve low-income and marginalized communities. Prop 56 pays for family planning and women's health providers to make room for funding the voter-mandated Proposition 35, which expands Medi-Cal—California's Medicaid program financed equally by the state and federal government.
Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles CEO Sue Dunlap speaking as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass looks on at a news conference on April 10, 2023.
Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles CEO Sue Dunlap speaking as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass looks on at a news conference on April 10, 2023.What To Know
The $500 million reduction specifically targets incentive payments to health care providers that serve Medi-Cal patients.
These funds are primarily distributed through Proposition 56, a tobacco tax initiative approved by voters in 2016. The revenue was earmarked for expanding and improving access to Medi-Cal services, which serves about 15 million Californians.
Newsom's budget proposal, part of the governor's attempt to close a projected $12 billion budget deficit, would eliminate about half a billion dollars in Proposition 56 supplemental payments in the fiscal year 2025-26 and cancel an additional $900 million in planned increases in subsequent years, The Washington Post reported.
"Because of Prop 35 and the fact that it is burdened over the next 2 fiscal years by $4.6 billion, it's increased the budget deficit, we are trying to figure out ways of offsetting that," Newsom said, according to Oakland news station KTVU.
Jodi Hicks, the president of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, told KTVU that the cuts would slash the organization's annual budget in the state by a third.
"We called California the beacon of hope for anyone that needs health care, come to California," Hicks told KTVU. "So it's a little bit of whiplash that now we're proposing these cuts."
"Over 85 percent are on public programs, including Medicaid, and some of the most vulnerable patients, and so we're severely restricting access to women's health," she continued.
Hicks said Newsom was "effectively defunding Planned Parenthood in the state of California," KCRA 3 reported. She then wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Happy to go on his Podcast and explain why this devastates women's health in his state."
Izzy Gardon, a spokesperson for Newsom, told KCRA 3 that the funding changes were conveyed ahead of the announced budget proposal.
"At a time when Donald Trump and Mike Johnson are working to gut access to basic reproductive care, Governor Newsom is not going to sign a budget that would shut down health clinics across California," Gardon said. "Any suggestion otherwise is laughably absurd."
What People Are Saying
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California wrote on X: "Here's what you need to know about @CAgovernor's May Budget Revision: 1. It decreases funding for sexual & reproductive health care providers by half a billion $. 2. It would eliminate 1/3 of PP in CA's annual funding. 3. It effectively defunds Planned Parenthood in CA."
California state Representative Maggy Krell wrote on X: "At a time when access to reproductive healthcare is under attack & Congress is proposing to defund Planned Parenthood & cut Medicaid, California must do more."
What Happens Next
Newsom and Democratic lawmakers remain under pressure to balance fiscal responsibility with maintaining California's progressive health care promises. The outcome of these budget negotiations will signal how the state prioritizes its most vulnerable residents in times of economic strain.
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