Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced Thursday that California will allocate $140 million in state funds to Planned Parenthood affiliates to replace lost federal support. The move comes after President Donald Trump eliminated all federal funding to Planned Parenthood through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed earlier this year.
Under the Hyde Amendment, federal funds cannot be used directly for abortions. However, Planned Parenthood had long received federal funding for other services, which critics argued was “fungible,” freeing up other resources to support abortion procedures. The Trump administration’s new law blocked all federal funding to the organization, and Planned Parenthood has so far failed to overturn the decision in court.
Governor Newsom justified the spending as essential to maintaining healthcare services. In a statement, he said, “California is a reproductive freedom state, and this latest investment continues to show our belief in protecting access to essential health care in times of distress.” His office accused President Trump of putting communities at risk by removing federal funding from Planned Parenthood.
California’s Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 100 health centers and report over one million patient visits annually. Newsom’s office claimed the $140 million would ensure continued access to “life-saving care and treatment.”
This funding comes as California faces an ongoing budget crisis. The state recorded a $12 billion deficit this year following years of overspending, despite having once enjoyed record surpluses. Legislators have cut numerous programs to close the gap. Critics note that while essential services were slashed, Newsom found $140 million for Planned Parenthood and $251 million for a special election intended to ratify a Democrat-drawn congressional map.
Pro-life advocates and conservative voters see the move as another example of California prioritizing abortion politics over fiscal responsibility. As the state continues to face economic strain, questions grow about Sacramento’s spending choices and ideological commitments.
