Planned Parenthood in Ottawa to close in March

Planned Parenthood of Illinois will close four health centers in March, including the location in Ottawa.

The closures will affect other locations in Decatur, Bloomington and Englewood in Chicago. None of these locations provided procedural abortion care.

According to Planned Parenthood, Ottawa’s location offered birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and planning, vaccines, consultation for sexual and reproductive health care concerns, HIV services and other services.

According to a news release, the closures are because of financial challenges and rising health care costs. The organization also will downsize its administrative staff and offer displaced health center staff comparable positions or opportunities to transition to telehealth.

Patients from the closed locations will be welcomed at 13 other Planned Parenthood health centers across the state, with expanded availability at the Champaign, Peoria, Springfield and Roseland centers.

Also, Planned Parenthood will increase access to virtual care through telehealth appointments and the PPDirect app.

“Patient care is and will always be our No. 1 priority,” said Tonya Tucker, interim president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. “However, rising care costs and lower reimbursement rates from insurers are jeopardizing our sustainability. We are making these difficult decisions today to ensure we can continue providing care in the future.”

According to the release, the closures are part of an effort to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Since 2022, Illinois has seen a 47% rise in overall abortion care patients, with almost a quarter of those coming from other states.

As part of its efforts to expand access to those affected by the closure, Planned Parenthood will begin offering services through the PPDirect app in February.

Patients using the app will be able to complete a health questionnaire reviewed by a planned parenthood medical professional.

Patients who qualify then will receive medication abortion pills by mail or be scheduled for an in-person appointment.