California Sends $90 Million to Planned Parenthood

State funding helps offset federal defunding of reproductive healthcare provider

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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In the wake of the Trump administration's defunding of Planned Parenthood through the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act', the state of California has provided $235 million in grants to the state's seven Planned Parenthood affiliates, including a recent $90 million infusion. This funding is intended to help the affiliates continue providing reproductive healthcare services to their communities, including abortion care, birth control, cancer screenings, and other essential services.

Why it matters

The federal defunding of Planned Parenthood has put significant financial strain on the organization's affiliates in California, which serve over 130,000 patients annually and are a critical part of the state's Medicaid (Medi-Cal) system. California's emergency funding is aimed at ensuring continued access to reproductive healthcare services, especially for low-income residents, in the face of the federal government's efforts to restrict funding for Planned Parenthood.

The details

The latest $90 million in funding from California comes as a result of new state legislation and is part of the state's fiscal budget for the year ending June 30, 2026. This is on top of the $235 million the state has provided to Planned Parenthood affiliates since last fall, when the federal defunding took effect. The funding allows Planned Parenthood to continue providing a range of reproductive health services, including abortion care, birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment. However, the long-term future of Planned Parenthood's funding remains uncertain, as the federal defunding provision is set to expire in July 2026 and it's unclear if it will be renewed.

  • In July 2025, the Trump administration's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act' included a provision restricting federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year.
  • In September 2025, a court order staying the defunding provision was lifted, allowing the federal defunding to take effect.
  • Since last fall, California has provided $235 million in grants to the state's seven Planned Parenthood affiliates.
  • The latest $90 million in state funding is part of California's fiscal budget for the year ending June 30, 2026.
  • The federal defunding provision is set to expire on July 4, 2026, but it's unclear if it will be renewed.

The players

Planned Parenthood

A nonprofit organization that provides reproductive healthcare services, including abortion care, birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment. Planned Parenthood has seven affiliates in California that serve over 130,000 patients annually.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who signed the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act' into law in July 2025, which included a provision restricting federal funding for Planned Parenthood.

Gavin Newsom

The current Governor of California, who has provided $235 million in state funding to Planned Parenthood affiliates in the state to help offset the federal defunding.

Nichole Ramirez

A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood in California, who has commented on the state's emergency funding and the long-term uncertainty surrounding the organization's funding.

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What they’re saying

“While the Trump administration and its allies in Congress pushed to deny patients essential, lifesaving care, we are fortunate that our leaders in California are serious about protecting access to vital reproductive health services.”

— Nichole Ramirez, Planned Parenthood spokesperson (Southern California News Group)

“The long-term, future ability of Planned Parenthood health centers to serve the needs of their patients remain uncertain even if the current federal 'defund' expires this July.”

— Nichole Ramirez, Planned Parenthood spokesperson (Southern California News Group)

What’s next

The federal defunding provision is set to expire on July 4, 2026, and it remains unclear whether the U.S. government will renew the restriction on funding for Planned Parenthood beyond that date.

The takeaway

California's emergency funding for Planned Parenthood affiliates highlights the critical role these healthcare providers play in the state's Medicaid system and the broader reproductive healthcare landscape. The long-term uncertainty surrounding federal funding for Planned Parenthood underscores the importance of state-level support to ensure continued access to essential reproductive services, especially for low-income individuals.