Planned Parenthood opens largest US center, expanding reproductive care

The city of Oakland has the nation’s largest Planned Parenthood facility, designed to expand access to reproductive healthcare as more out-of-town patients travel to California seeking care. Officials said the new center in the heart of downtown will serve as a destination for reproductive rights, particularly in the wake of growing restrictions in other states.

Expanding access to care

The facility, which opened in December, will provide a wide range of services, including abortions, prenatal care, contraception and gender-affirming therapy. Planned Parenthood officials said the center comes at a time when there’s an increasing demand for healthcare services from patients across the country, many of whom are coming from states with restrictive abortion and healthcare laws.

“We’re seeing more and more patients who need to come to California, and in particular Oakland, to get essential health care.”

Andrew Adams, Planned Parenthood spokesperson

Rising demand from other states

Over the past two years, patients have traveled from 39 states to California health centers. Planned Parenthood attributes it to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. The landmark ruling effectively eliminated federal protections for abortion. It forced many individuals to seek care in states like California where abortion access remains protected.

California voters enshrined abortion protections in the state constitution. The protections guarantee access to abortion up to viability, when a fetus can survive outside the womb without medical assistance.

The new center is named after former U.S. congresswoman and Oakland mayoral candidate Barbara Lee, a long-time advocate for reproductive rights.

An uptick in abortions in California

Data from 2023 indicates California has seen a significant increase in the number of abortions performed. More than 170,000 procedures were recorded, marking a 16% increase compared to 2020.