Committees approve $500,000 SSBG allocation to Planned Parenthood to cover rising demand for family-planning care

Commissioner Andrea Barjan Reese of the Department of Social Services told a joint Appropriations and Human Services hearing Thursday that the agency seeks to reallocate $500,000 of SSBG carryforward to Planned Parenthood to maintain and expand family-planning access.

"I am Andrea Barjan Reese and I'm the Commissioner for the Department of Social Services. And today I'm here to request change ... to spend $500,000 of our carryforward to provide additional support to Planned Parenthood for family planning services," Reese said, describing the funds as federal Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) dollars drawn from a carryforward reserve.

The amendment adjusts the FFY25 SSBG allocation plan to increase funding for Planned Parenthood, a provider the commissioner said serves more than 50,000 people statewide. Reese said the funds will be used to cover routine family-planning care and general reproductive-health services already authorized under the existing allocation plan, and to avoid service reductions that could result from increased demand.

"Without this additional assistance, Planned Parenthood may need to reduce hours, limit appointments and potentially close clinics entirely," Reese said. She described the award as a one-time carryforward adjustment that does not reduce funding available to other SSBG recipients.

Committee members asked for details about the source and…