2025 is shaping up to be a seismic year for the pro-life movement as dozens of Planned Parenthood clinics face the chopping block.
According to Breitbart, thanks to a bold move by the Trump administration to redirect taxpayer dollars away from abortion providers, 41 clinics have either shuttered or are on the brink of closing, with potentially hundreds more at risk.
Let’s rewind to the start of this saga in June 2025, when the Supreme Court dropped a bombshell ruling that South Carolina could block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds. This decision, affirming that the organization couldn’t sue under a civil rights law, set a precedent. It was a green light for states to take action against funding abortion providers.
Not wasting a moment, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt jumped into the fray with an executive order to halt Medicaid funds to abortion providers in his state. Talk about striking while the iron’s hot.
Then came the big kahuna in July 2025: President Donald Trump signed the budget reconciliation measure dubbed the "Big, Beautiful Bill," which included a provision to defund abortion providers. Using the budget reconciliation process, Senate Republicans sidestepped the usual 60-vote hurdle with a simple majority, a savvy move made possible by their control of Congress. It’s a classic case of working the system for a cause many conservatives hold dear.
This defunding push isn’t new—federal law via the Hyde Amendment already bars taxpayer money for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment. Yet pro-life advocates have long argued that no federal dime should prop up organizations tied to abortion, period. It’s a fair question: Why should public funds bankroll a group so focused on a procedure many Americans find morally troubling?
Planned Parenthood, predictably, isn’t taking this lying down—they’ve sued the Trump administration to keep the cash flowing. They claim up to 200 of their affiliate clinics could close if the defunding sticks. That’s a staggering number, even if it’s their own estimate.
Adding a twist, a judge appointed by former President Barack Obama has temporarily blocked the defunding provision while the lawsuit plays out. It’s a classic stall tactic, buying time for an organization that, according to its own 2023-2024 annual report, raked in $792.2 million in taxpayer funding. That’s nearly $100 million more than the year before—hardly chump change.
Speaking of that report, titled “A Force For Hope,” Planned Parenthood also logged a record 402,230 abortions in the same period, up from 392,715 previously. If their stated mission is broader women’s health, one might wonder why abortion numbers keep climbing while other services, as critics point out, seem to dwindle.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, isn’t mincing words on this: “Life is winning.” She hails the closures as a triumph, noting that even before the defunding is fully enforced, 41 clinics are already down or soon will be. It’s a jab at Planned Parenthood’s reliance on public funds, and she’s not wrong to question why taxpayers should foot the bill.
Dannenfelser also pointed out, “By Planned Parenthood’s own account, our victory… could cause up to 200 facilities to close.” That’s a direct shot at the organization’s dire warnings, suggesting their business model might just crumble without government handouts. If true, it’s a wake-up call about dependency on public money.
She didn’t stop there, adding that Planned Parenthood is “stalling with their defunding lawsuit” to keep collecting millions daily. It’s a sharp critique of an organization that, in her view, prioritizes revenue over principle. Many conservatives would nod in agreement, tired of seeing their taxes funneled to controversial causes.
Dannenfelser also highlighted a decline in Planned Parenthood’s non-abortion services, claiming cancer screenings and contraceptive care have dropped significantly. She argues community health centers, outnumbering Planned Parenthood 15:1, offer better, more comprehensive care for women on Medicaid. It’s a compelling point—why not redirect funds to centers that focus on holistic health rather than a narrow, divisive agenda?
In August 2025, SBA Pro-Life America released a tracker confirming the closure status of those 41 Planned Parenthood clinics. It’s a tangible metric of impact, showing that policy shifts are hitting the ground hard. For pro-life supporters, it’s proof that persistence pays off.
Ultimately, this battle is far from over, with litigation ongoing and emotions running high on both sides. The defunding of Planned Parenthood may be, as Dannenfelser called it, the “biggest national pro-life victory” since the Dobbs decision, but it’s also a lightning rod for debate over healthcare and morality. For now, conservatives can celebrate a hard-fought win, while acknowledging the genuine concern from those who fear lost access to services—misguided as that reliance on Planned Parenthood may seem to many.
