Independent Abortion Clinics Losing Money, Closing—Sign of Planned Parenthood’s Growing Monopoly

A Time Magazine article recently reported that independent abortion clinics are losing money, and many are likely to close and never reopen. For pro-life advocates, it’s encouraging news. But surprisingly, this news is a boon to Planned Parenthood as well, which looks poised to become the nation’s sole abortion provider.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life across the country, and abortion businesses have been feeling the strain. Between some states like Alabama temporarily banning abortion and the travel restrictions between states, one clinic owner told Time that the impact has been “tremendous.” Some clinics may close and never reopen as a result.

In many ways, this is great news, especially for pro-life advocates.

There were concerns when the pandemic initially began that more women would choose abortion due to the general uncertainty of the situation and the economic impact of the lockdowns. This report shows that may not actually be the case. More women may be choosing life during this difficult time, though the official abortion numbers won’t be completely known until probably 2023.

Unfortunately, the report is actually good news for Planned Parenthood as well.

The nation’s largest abortion business has been slowly expanding its monopoly on the abortion industry, through the building of massive clinics strategically placed to drive independent abortion clinics out of business.

In 1991, Planned Parenthood accounted for approximately 9.5% of all abortions in the United States. By 2018, that number has now jumped to roughly 41%. That’s a dramatic increase.

This has been accomplished, in some part, by creating larger, mega-clinics across the country that are able to see more patients and perform more abortions. These clinics have been built in Birmingham, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina and Fairview Heights, Illinois, which was built entirely in secret.

These locations were all built within close proximity of independent abortion clinics, and, due to the recognition of the Planned Parenthood name, it would be rather easy to put these smaller, independent abortion clinics out of business.

If this happens, Planned Parenthood would have a monopoly on the business of abortion across the country.

This would work to fill the business’ coffers but would go against its mission to provide health care for American women.

On its website, Planned Parenthood states, “Today, Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide.”

But if abortion is all the business does, is it really helping women and providing “health care?” Abortion, since it isn’t currently eligible for Medicaid coverage except in certain extreme situations, is essentially a cash cow for Planned Parenthood.

But since there are fewer abortions, being in the abortion business no longer pays like it used to. Just 20 or 30 years ago, there were approximately 1.5 million or so abortions per year. Planned Parenthood is trying to make up for this loss of income by taking control of more and more of the abortion industry.

It’s great to see smaller, independent abortion clinics go out of business, but it’s disappointing to see Planned Parenthood fill the gap.

Photo from Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com