Planned Parenthood reopens in New Orleans
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Planned Parenthood Great Plains took over the existing clinic on South Claiborne Avenue from Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast. Photo: Chelsea Brasted/Axios
Planned Parenthood reopens Wednesday in New Orleans after what it described as "political warfare" forced its closure in 2025.
Why it matters: The clinic's return comes just as the city is considering trimming its health programming, among other cuts aimed at navigating a budget crisis.
Catch up quick: Planned Parenthood's New Orleans clinic represents an expansion of the national nonprofit sexual health provider's Great Plains network.
- Planned Parenthood Great Plains stepped in last year after Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast announced plans to shut down its two Louisiana clinics, citing "relentless political assaults." Its clinics in New Orleans and Baton Rouge closed last September.
- "Louisiana community members and long-time supporters made clear last year that patients needed and deserved Planned Parenthood services in this state," said Emily Wales, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, in a statement.
What they're saying: "Expanding women's health and prevention services to our community is a huge win for residents," said New Orleans Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Jennifer Avegno, in a statement.
- "In a state where maternal mortality leads the nation, we need more comprehensive, high-quality care that is accessible to all," she added.
The other side: Gov. Jeff Landry previously celebrated Planned Parenthood's closure, and Attorney General Liz Murrill, who's working to ban abortions via telehealth, has said the nonprofit "built a business around promoting death."
Reality check: Planned Parenthood, which does provide abortion access elsewhere, will not provide the service either in-person or via telehealth for Louisiana patients, representatives said.
- The organization expects STI testing and treatment, and contraception resources to be its main services in New Orleans.
Zoom in: Those services are greatly needed in the city, health officials have said, as Louisiana faces elevated rates of STIs.
Inside the room: A quick tour of the Planned Parenthood clinic on South Claiborne Avenue on Friday afternoon showed three exam rooms and two procedure rooms ready for patients to begin arriving Wednesday.
- Appointments were already fully booked for opening day, spokesperson Hanna Sumpter said.
What we're watching: The organization's focus remains on getting the New Orleans clinic running smoothly, Sumpter noted, but leaders hope to open another physical location within the state sometime in the future.
- For now, Louisiana patients who can't make it to New Orleans can access Planned Parenthood care via telehealth, she said.