Published: March 3, 2011
“We made the difficult decision to close”
Planned Parenthood’s ex-affiliate in San Francisco goes belly up
Planned Parenthood’s former San Francisco affiliate, stripped of its right to use the name “Planned Parenthood” last year and re-opened under the name Golden Gate Community Health, has gone out of business indefinitely.
“Golden Gate Community Health, formerly known as Planned Parenthood Golden Gate, closed its operations on February 28, 2011 after almost 90 years of service to the Bay Area,” said a March 1 news release from the organization. “Golden Gate Community Health operated health centers in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties. The closing was caused, in part, by delays in State patient reimbursements and diminished donor support.”
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America rescinded permission for Planned Parenthood Golden Gate to call itself “Planned Parenthood” as of Sept. 3, 2010 amid allegations of financial irregularities. The former affiliate reportedly had not operated at a profit for years, losing millions of dollars.
“Under the leadership of former CEO Dian Harrison, the nonprofit lost $2.8 million during the 2008-2009 tax year and had not broken even since 2005-2006,” the Bay Citizen reported. Harrison has since sued Planned Parenthood for severance pay.
“After thoroughly researching and examining our options, we made the difficult decision to close
our health centers,” Therese Wilson, president and CEO of Golden Gate Community Health, was quoted as saying in the news release. “Over the past eight months, the new management team made significant operational and financial improvements and reduced operating costs by 33 percent, saving more than $600,000 per month. During this time we have been able to guarantee the same quality of care for which have been known. However, without expected additional funding we are unable to cover the revenue delays associated with State reimbursement.”“Although Golden Gate Community Health will continue to seek additional sources of funding, if it does not receive new financing it will be unable to reopen its health centers,” said the news release.
When its former affiliate renamed itself and continued operating under the name Golden Gate Community Health, it set up a showdown with Planned Parenthood for millions of dollars in state and federal funding. Planned Parenthood divided up Golden Gate’s former territory between Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, based in San Jose, and Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific, based in Concord. Part of Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific’s new territory included San Francisco. Planned Parenthood Mar Monte expanded Planned Parenthood operations into Alameda and San Mateo counties, also once a part of Planned Parenthood Golden Gate’s turf.
Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific (formerly named Planned Parenthood Shasta Diablo) announced the opening of a new clinic in San Francisco on Jan. 18, where it now performs abortions. In addition, Planned Parenthood Shasta Pacific has opened new clinics in Marin, Mendocino and Sonoma counties. It opened its newest “full-service health center” in Mill Valley on Feb. 28.
It appears that Planned Parenthood has won the turf war with Golden Gate Community Health, whose website now carries the following message: “Thank you for visiting our website. We are temporarily closed for services. To contact your local Planned Parenthood, please hang up and dial 1.800.230.7526 to make an appointment at a health center nearest you.”
Let's keep praying that ALL Planned Barrenhood murder centers close!
Deacon John
