Facing financial pressure, Oregon’s regional Planned Parenthood providers merge to cover state

Oregon’s two Planned Parenthood providers covering the state’s southwest and the Columbia-Willamette area will consolidate their operations as financial pressures mount. Board members for both Oregon branches of the nonprofit nationwide healthcare organization approved the merger Tuesday, allowing the 60-year-old southwestern affiliate to be subsumed by the Columbia Willamette affiliate, which will expand to serve the entire state. Under the merger, Planned Parenthood clinics in the Eugene-Springfield area, Medford and West Eugene will fall under the purview of a statewide organization: Planned Parenthood of Oregon and Southwest Washington. The official launch is set for Feb. 14. “Like other rural and nonprofit providers, we are navigating real pressures from rising costs and low reimbursement rates,” said Amy Handler, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon, in a statement.

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