Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Responds to Ramaswamy and Musk’s Threat of “Defunding” Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON, DC -Yesterday, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the incoming leaders of President-elect Trump's to-be-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) published an op-ed making clear that they intend to use their power to attempt to "defund" Planned Parenthood - stripping millions of people of access to essential health care like cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing and treatment, and abortion care.

The pair wrote: "…DOGE will help end federal overspending by taking aim at the $500 billion plus in annual federal expenditures that are unauthorized by Congress or being used in ways that Congress never intended, from $535 million a year to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $1.5 billion for grants to international organizations to nearly $300 million to progressive groups like Planned Parenthood."

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, issued the following statement:

"President-elect Trump isn't nominating leaders, he is surrounding himself with unqualified fanboys and agents of chaos. Musk and Ramaswamy are making clear how they intend to use their power: denying people care and wreaking havoc on our public health system, of which Planned Parenthood is an integral part - all in the name of supposed 'government efficiency.' We've been here before - we are not new to shutdown and 'defund' fights. We fended off a number of these attacks during Trump's first term - and Planned Parenthood health centers are still there serving millions of patients across the nation."

Patients are already preparing for the incoming Trump administration by taking control of their sexual and reproductive health care. On November 6 - the day after the election was called - Planned Parenthood health centers saw:

• vasectomy appointments scheduled increased by 1200%;
• IUD appointments scheduled increased by over 760%;
• birth control implant appointments scheduled increased by 350%;
• and, gender-affirming care appointments scheduled increased by 140%

One in three women have been to a Planned Parenthood health center in their lifetime, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Planned Parenthood health centers across the country largely serve patients in medically underserved areas, and more than 50% of Planned Parenthood patients are enrolled in Medicaid and other federal and state programs for uninsured patients.

Planned Parenthood doesn't get a blank check from the federal government. Like any other health care provider, or hospital, Planned Parenthood affiliates are reimbursed for services provided to patients at health centers. What Musk and Ramaswamy call "federal overspending" provides critical and necessary sexual and reproductive health care to thousands of people every day - care that will disappear if they get their way.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation's largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S