Eugene residents will see a major restructuring of local reproductive‑health services as Oregon’s two Planned Parenthood affiliates combine into a single organization next month. Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon will cease operations, resulting in the loss of 75 jobs, while Planned Parenthood Columbia‑Willamette will expand to cover the region under the new banner, Planned Parenthood of Oregon and Southwest Washington, which is slated to launch on Monday, February 15.
According to KVAL, the decision was driven by “rising costs and low reimbursement rates,” with Medicaid payments cited as a core issue. “Medicaid rates have remained stagnant for a long time, and they haven’t kept pace with the cost of providing care,” said Amy Handler, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwestern Oregon. She added that the organization had already closed a health center in Grants Pass this year and warned that without “meaningful change” more closures could occur within the next 18 months to two years.
Despite the layoffs, the agencies assure patients that care will continue uninterrupted. Appointments, medical records, insurance coverage, and billing are expected to remain seamless, and telehealth services will stay available. The two groups will operate separately for the time being, but patients can still receive services at the existing health centers.
Handler confirmed that the last day for the laid‑off workers is February 12, and she urged those employees to reapply for any open positions within the newly formed organization. “We are all losing our jobs. All of our jobs end on February 12th, and Planned Parenthood Columbia‑Willamette is posting new jobs for our region right now,” she said.
The merger aims to create a more sustainable model for delivering reproductive health care across Oregon and Southwest Washington. By consolidating resources, the new entity hopes to better navigate the financial pressures that have plagued the nonprofit health sector, particularly in rural areas.
What’s next: The combined organization will officially begin operations on February 15. Affected employees have until February 12 to transition out of their current roles, and the agencies plan to post new job openings shortly thereafter. Residents seeking services are encouraged to continue using their usual clinics and telehealth platforms while the merger is finalized.
Sources: kval.com
