One of Maine’s largest abortion care providers will end its primary care services on Friday after a federal court ruled that the Trump administration is not required to restore Medicaid funding to the organization.
Maine Family Planning, which operates the state’s largest network of sexual and reproductive health clinics, announced that it will discontinue primary care services at its Ellsworth, Houlton and Presque Isle locations, affecting about 800 patients.
The decision follows a ruling that upheld restrictions under H.R. 1, legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump earlier this year. The law prohibits family planning and abortion providers from collecting Medicaid funding if they received at least $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023.
Although Medicaid funds are not used to pay for abortions in most cases, the loss of reimbursements has forced the organization to scale back services. Maine Family Planning and the Center for Reproductive Rights sued to restore the funds, but a judge ruled in August that Congress has the authority to withhold federal money following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade.
George Hill, president and CEO of Maine Family Planning, said the organization feels singled out because it provides abortion services alongside other reproductive care. He said the closures will affect approximately 2,200 to 2,300 patient visits each year and result in a significant loss of revenue.
The Center for Reproductive Rights has appealed the ruling to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to reverse the decision and allow Maine Family Planning to resume billing Medicaid for primary care services.
