County commissioners vote to close Muskegon Planned Parenthood health center

Thank you for fighting to keep Planned Parenthood’s Muskegon health center open. Supporters like you sent more than 6,000 emails to the county commissioners, had their phones ringing off the hook and packed the commission meeting on Tuesday.

Unfortunately, the commissioners ultimately put politics ahead of the health and well-being of their constituents and voted 6-2 to evict Planned Parenthood from the Muskegon location in 90 days.

This is a devastating loss for the community. As the only Title X provider in the county, Planned Parenthood is the only place where anyone who needs it can access low- or no-cost cancer screenings, wellness exams, STI testing and treatment, and birth control.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan's senior leadership is investigating all options to continue providing care, but there is no guarantee Planned Parenthood will be able to find a new space to serve Muskegon-area patients. Even in the best case scenario, we expect there to be a gap in care. Ninety days is simply not enough time to find a new space.

We will keep you updated as PPMI's leadership explores all their options and makes decisions regarding next steps. All official decisions will be shared directly from Planned Parenthood. Please set aside anything you hear from secondary sources as it may be misinformation spread by the opposition.

This is a sad reminder that elections (including local elections!) have consequences. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan will continue to hold the county commissioners accountable and work to replace those who undermine access to health care instead of expanding it.