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Oakland County panel considers $1.5M to shore up Planned Parenthood Ferndale services
Summary
Commissioners heard hours of public comment and a presentation from Planned Parenthood seeking up to $1.5 million over two years to sustain services at the Ferndale health center after recent federal funding reductions and clinic closures.
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners considered a resolution to allocate up to $1,500,000 through August 2028 to support preventive and reproductive health services provided by Planned Parenthood of Michigan at its Ferndale health center.
Julie Funke, a Ferndale resident and board chair at Planned Parenthood of Michigan, urged approval during public comment, citing federal cuts and clinic closures and saying, "more than 4,100 patients walked into the doors of Ferndale last year." Planned Parenthood's presenter said the organization faces an operating shortfall and network closures after Title X and Medicaid funding changes, and told commissioners there were "6,330 total visits last year" by Oakland County residents to Ferndale (including telehealth).
The resolution, introduced by Commissioner Powell and supported in the motion by Commissioner Ericsson Gault, would route funds through the Oakland County Health Division to a fee-for-service contract tied to services delivered to county residents. Planned Parenthood's representative described the proposal as "targeted, accountable investment" that would reimburse services for residents who rely on Ferndale and telehealth, saying the allocation would "keep the doors of the Ferndale Health Center open."
Speakers and commissioners split sharply. Supporters—including Commissioner Powell and public commenters who said they depended on Planned Parenthood for counseling and confidential care—stressed access for Medicaid recipients, uninsured patients and young people. Tamika Ramsey Brown described personal experience getting counseling at Planned Parenthood and asked the board to continue funding.
Opponents raised political and programmatic objections. Several public commenters argued county funds would be better directed to federally qualified health centers spread across the county, or to local programs; one commenter cited an asserted national political donation figure and another said Planned Parenthood "does not do mammograms." Greg Marinelli, a public commenter, said he "rise[s] in opposition to the spending of $1,500,000 on the killing of babies." Other speakers invoked the organization's history and urged alternative uses for the money.
Commissioner Ghentel (in discussion) said she was sympathetic to some services provided but could not support the proposal without reviewing prior guardrails from the 2019 allocation; she asked whether amendments or safeguards could be revisited. Planned Parenthood's presenter responded that the funds would go to the organization's 501(c)(3) health-care side and could not be commingled with political activity.
The transcript records the motion (mover: Commissioner Powell; seconder: Commissioner Ericsson Gault) and an extended public and commissioner exchange, but the vote outcome on the resolution is not recorded in the provided transcript.
Next steps: the item was formally presented and a motion was made; the transcript ends before a final vote on the Planned Parenthood appropriation is recorded.
