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The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
One of two Planned Parenthood locations in Memphis has temporarily closed its doors as new federal regulations from the Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) prevent people from using Medicaid as their insurance at “reproductive care” organizations that offer abortions.
In September, a federal appeals court decision upheld the Medicaid restriction in the bill, allowing a one-year block for those with Medicaid (or TennCare in Tennessee) from obtaining services from Planned Parenthood and other similar abortion providers.
The law does not outright name Planned Parenthood but specifies any organization that offers abortions and receives over $800,000 annually in Medicaid funding as subject to the regulation.
A message posted on the clinic’s website confirmed the closure, which began Monday, Oct. 6, and reiterated the city’s other location remains open as they “look forward to providing our patients with excellent, nonjudgmental health care.” They also refer clients to their other locations in Nashville and Knoxville.
Mainstream outlets are purporting that Tennesseans who go to the clinics for “primary care, gynecological, care, cancer screenings, birth control, and other healthcare services” could now be without “essential healthcare”. They also noted the clinics in Tennessee have not performed any abortions since the state’s Human Life Protection Act went into effect in 2022, which theoretically bans abortion with limited exceptions.
But these reports do not mention Planned Parenthood’s role in helping women obtain the abortion pill, uses of which has seen a significant uptick, or directing mothers to other states which will perform in-clinic abortions.
Nor do they discuss the partnerships with Tennessee Republican lawmakers to undermine protections for the unborn which were established by the Human Life Protection Act.
Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville-District 7) was a featured speaker along with a representative from Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood at an event earlier this year which focused on ways to help women find loopholes and workarounds in state abortion laws.
Briggs also partnered with Republican Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes (East Ridge-District 30) to sponsor a bill creating more exceptions for abortion in Tennessee during the 2025 legislative session.
Planned Parenthood and other abortion advocacy groups have also been diligently working to flip legislative seats, hoping to install more pro-abortion lawmakers who will undermine the Human Life Protection Act and allow abortions to once again be performed by in-state clinics.
Tennessee Right to Life President Stacy Dunn told LifeNews the organization was pleased to learn of the facility’s closing.
“Planned Parenthood continues to promote death and destruction in our state. Last year, they spent a million dollars trying to unseat pro-life legislators. They arrange for travel and lodging for babies to be aborted in other states, and they spread their deadly agenda in our communities. We are grateful that the de-funding of Planned Parenthood has helped bring about this closure, even if it is only temporary. Any day that the doors of Planned Parenthood are closed is a good day,” she declared.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
