Part of the “Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law July 4 stops Medicaid coverage of medical services provided by Planned Parenthood.

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced July 9 that the state will cover the gap of federal funding for services provided by Planned Parenthood.

State Attorney General Nick Brown announced on July 29 his office joined a coalition of 24 states suing the Trump Administration about cuts to Planned Parenthood.

The provision blocks Medicaid reimbursements for healthcare services obtained at Planned Parenthood including cancer screenings, birth control and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, per a news release.

“The broad attempt to cut Washingtonians’ access to Planned Parenthood means more unscreened cancers, more untreated sexually transmitted diseases and more unintended pregnancies,” Brown said. “The Trump Administration’s punitive actions will have real ramifications for Washingtonians. While the governor has agreed to make state funding available to cover any lost federal funds to Planned Parenthood, these are precious state funds that Washington should not have to divert. My office will do everything it can to stop this unlawful stripping of Medicaid funding.”

For Kitsap County residents, Planned Parenthood operates one health center in Bremerton, which has more than 5,300 visits each year. Other nearby health centers include Tacoma, Seattle and Lynnwood.

Courtney Normand, the state director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, shared her concerns.

“In reality, many of our patients have no other providers they can turn to,” Normand said, thanking Ferguson and Brown for their efforts.

Normand said there would be no immediate impacts because of ongoing litigation, other effects from the bill include the removal of thousands of people statewide from their health insurance.

“At the same time, Planned Parenthood and other providers are up against ongoing impacts from the state legislature approving a 55 percent cut to the Abortion Access Project, the largest cut to abortion access in state history,” she said.

Clover Simon, chief people and experience officer at Planned Parenthood serving greater Washington and Idaho, shared her commitments. Simon’s affiliate covers 14 health centers in Eastern and Western Washington. The three in Western Washington include Bellingham, Mount Vernon and Friday Harbor.

“We are committed, no matter what court decisions or budget bills come our way. We’re going to continue to provide the high-quality, judgment-free care that we have always provided,” Simon said. “That’s our promise to all of our patients and to the public. We are unfortunately used to fighting these kinds of battles, and we aren’t going to go anywhere.”