MADISON – Yesterday, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced as a result of state funding cuts in Governor Walker’s last budget, they are closing the doors of their clinics in Shawano, Chippewa Falls, Johnson Creek, and Beaver Dam. The closure will eliminate critical services to 2,000 patients including lifesaving cancer screenings, breast exams, birth control, annual exams, pregnancy tests, STD testing and treatment, HIV screening, and referrals to a network of community resources.
In all four communities, Planned Parenthood is the only reproductive health care provider for low-income women. Below is Rep. Chris Taylor’s (D-Madison) statement on the closings:
“Today’s announcement by Planned Parenthood just proves that the effects of Governor Walker’s last budget are just now being felt. In the end, Governor Walker chose to hurt the health needs of Wisconsin women in favor of advancing his extreme agenda against birth control and reproductive health care.
“The closing of these four clinics isn’t a ‘win’ for the pro-life community; it’s a loss to women who relied on those clinics for lifesaving cervical and breast cancer screenings, safe family planning services and other health care needs. As a result, there will be women whose health and lives are threatened.
“Governor Walker’s war on women became a reality for thousands of women across Wisconsin today. I call on my colleagues in the Legislature to recognize women’s health isn’t a partisan issue and to restore state funding for Planned Parenthood’s family planning program back in this budget.”
