SPOKANE, Wash. — Planned Parenthood clinics across the country have been struggling in the past several years, with many clinics shutting down. But here in Spokane, the clinic says it feels hopeful due to the newly approved Washington state budget with an increase in funding.
This year compared to last, Planned Parenthood is in a very different spot. $8.5 million was cut last year from the Abortion Access Project, but this year that money has been completely restored. The potential loss in services and staff is no longer at risk.
“We don’t have to panic. We know that our patients will continue to have funding,” said Karl Eastlund, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho.
The last few years have not been easy at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Spokane. When Roe v. Wade was overturned, there was a 20-30% increase in patients from out of state seeking care. Some patients came all the way from Georgia. That number continues to grow, with a spokesperson for the nonprofit saying there was an 11% increase in out-of-state patients between 2024 and 2025.
“About 20,000 visits last year, we see in Spokane the Valley and Pullman. Many of those patients are coming from Idaho. And it’s important to remember, more than well over 90% of what we do is not abortion. So it’s cancer screenings, birth control screenings, helping people who are pregnant and are really excited to become parents,” said Eastlund.
On top of patient increases, the federal government stopped funding Medicaid for Planned Parenthoods.
“Losing Medicaid would have meant losing about half of our budget. You have to make dramatic plans to cut services and to possibly change where your locations are,” said Eastlund.
But lately things are turning around. The state has been covering the $11 million gap that was left by the federal cuts. And now, $8.5 million has been restored to the statewide Abortion Access Project that Planned Parenthood receives money from.
“So it really is incredibly helpful for just being able to plan your business, keep moving forward. Hiring staff, growing, offering new services. So yeah, it really brings a bit of a peace of mind to our patients, into our staff,” said Eastlund.
There are still a few things that Planned Parenthood is worried about and keeping an eye on when it comes to access to care, including the shortage in healthcare providers in Eastern Washington, as well as the FDA potentially banning the abortion pill.
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