Ohio is seeking to end its Medicaid provider contract with Planned Parenthood facilities around the state, which would block state funds from flowing to the organization for non-abortion care including contraception, STI testing, cancer screenings and others.
In a letter dated Sept. 24, 2025, the Ohio Department of Medicaid cited recent federal legislation that prohibits state departments of Medicaid from issuing reimbursements to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood for one year.
“Accordingly, ODM is proposing to terminate your Ohio Medicaid Provider Agreement,” the letter states.
While the federal financial cutoff lasts only one year, the state’s decision to end the provider agreement could effectively extend that policy indefinitely. Melissa Cohen, general counsel for the Planned Parenthood facilities in Ohio, said it’s unknown for now how long the termination would last. But if it outlasts the federal ban, “we would not be able to get back into the Medicaid program even if we are permitted to on the federal level.”
Planned Parenthood last week responded by formally objecting and requesting a hearing on the matter.
The state’s letter is signed by Lawrence Yawn, Medicaid’s head of the bureau of network management. But the department is ultimately led by Maureen Corcoran, an appointee of Gov. Mike DeWine. The department didn’t respond to inquiries.
State law already prohibits Medicaid funds from covering costs of abortion. But the federal legislation, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, prohibits all funds from flowing to “prohibited entities” such as Planned Parenthood for one year.
How many people could be affected by a block of Medicaid funds?
The termination letters, provided by Ohio Medicaid in a public records request, were sent to facilities in Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, and several more to a PO box in Cleveland.
The termination would prevent 27,000 patients from receiving care at Planned Parenthood’s locations in the Columbus and Dayton areas. Cohen said in a statement they’ve always complied with state law and are contesting the termination.
“We have officially requested a hearing with the Ohio Department of Medicaid to affirm our status as a trusted Medicaid provider without any reports of misconduct that would justify our termination from Medicaid,” she said. “We hope the hearing will clarify that the federal funding prohibition is purely a political attack on Planned Parenthood and does not provide any basis for ODM to terminate Planned Parenthood from the program.”
The federal legislation has already wounded Planned Parenthood, long a target of political attacks from anti-abortion advocacy groups and politicians. Federal funding cuts have already resulted in the closure of Planned Parenthood health centers in Cleveland, Springfield, and Hamilton.
Medicaid, the publicly funded health insurer for the poor and disabled, covers care for about 1 in 4 Ohioans. Its patients comprise 43% of Planned Parenthood’s clients, according to figures cited in media reports.
