Planned Parenthood facility in Richmond’s Northside not moving forward due to funding cuts
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Planned Parenthood facility in Richmond's Northside will not move forward as planned, the Virginia Planned Parenthood leader confirmed on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, March 17, Paulette McElwaine, the Virginia Planned Parenthood leader, told 8News that federal funding cuts have mainly been responsible for not moving forward with the Northside facility.
McElwaine cited defunding of Planned Parenthood and uncertainty around Title X funding, along with high construction costs, as reasons behind the decision.
In late July 2024, Richmond City Council voted unanimously to allow the sale of the former Brook Hill School, located at 4929 Chamberlayne Ave., for $10 to Planned Parenthood -- the Virginia League for Planned Parenthood was the initial prospective buyer.
The $6 million, 10,000-square-foot clinic would have provided family planning, primary care, cancer screenings and gender-affirming care services with subsidized fees to make care affordable for those who may not have insurance.
It’s important to note, however, that this does not reflect a lack of need in the community for quality and comprehensive health care, but the growing funding gap created by federal attacks on reproductive health care—one that now requires a strong commitment from the Commonwealth to ensure patients do not lose access to care. The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood remains committed to providing reproductive health care, abortion care, and gender-affirming health care to communities throughout Virginia through our five health centers and virtually. Paulette McElwaine, the Virginia Planned Parenthood leader
