FERNDALE, Mich. – A little more than a week after two Planned Parenthood clinics in metro Detroit closed because of funding issues, Oakland County commissioners are set to vote on whether to provide up to $1.5 million to help keep one of the last remaining clinics in the metro open.
The proposal, introduced by Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair Dave Woodward, would reimburse Planned Parenthood of Michigan for eligible in-person and telehealth services at its Ferndale health center.
Woodward said the money could help keep the clinic operational through 2028.
“Those services are at serious risk of not existing anymore because the federal funding has been held back or prevented,” Woodward said.
The Ferndale clinic is one of the locations that continued operating after Planned Parenthood closed centers in Warren and Livonia last month.
The organization cited a lack of federal funding and loss of reimbursements as reasons for the closures.
According to Planned Parenthood, Oakland County residents made roughly 6,000 visits to Planned Parenthood locations for care between July 2025 and June 2026. Services include cancer screenings, annual wellness exams, contraception and reproductive health counseling.
“People need health care, and they deserve to be able to get access to it in Oakland County,” Woodward said.
Local 4 reached out to Planned Parenthood for comment.
“This proposed investment represents a crucial, long-standing commitment to protecting sexual and reproductive healthcare in our region.
As we face continued attacks that target our funding and our patients, the county is delivering a practical solution to bridge the gap.
We are grateful to Chair Woodward for introducing this resolution, and we look forward to working with the Board toward its adoption in August.”
Paula Thornton Greear, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan
And in a Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting earlier this month, Greear gave insight into the problems their clinics are facing.
“What Planned Parenthood of Michigan is facing today is not a strain or a shortfall, it is a calculated and targeted ongoing assault on Planned Parenthood by the federal government.
At the same time our Title 10 funding was exhausted at the end of May, and the Trump administration has stated quite loudly it’s intent to exclude Planned Parenthood from Title 10 entirely moving forward.
Together these decisions have opened a nearly $1-million operating gap for our Ferndale health center. “
Paula Thornton Greear, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan
Residents are divided on whether the county should step in.
“I think everyone should give to Planned Parenthood, certainly anyone who cares about women and women’s health,” said Kate Wade of Royal Oak, who supports the funding.
At a recent public meeting, some residents voiced opposition.
“That’s not what our money needs to go to. They have enough tax money; they have enough donations already,” said Annette Longtine. “If we’re going to have $1.5 million taxed to Oakland County residents, there’s a lot more need in our own community for that.”
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the funding Thursday (Aug. 13).