###

Press release from Planned Parenthood Northern California:

Dozens of generous local donors showed their love for Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNorCal)—and the thousands of patients who rely on its rural health centers—after a Humboldt County supporter offered a matching gift challenge.

Throughout January, Fieldbrook resident Bill Lutjens offered to match all donations from Humboldt and surrounding counties up to $100,000 in support of the Care Can’t Wait Campaign. PPNorCal is pleased to report that not only has this goal been met, to the tune of more than $113,000, but that news of the gesture has also inspired another Bay Area donor to offer a $500,000 match for donations throughout Northern California.

Last summer, the Trump administration blocked Medicaid (MediCal) reimbursement for the care provided by Planned Parenthood health centers across the country. As a result, PPNorCal lost 70% of its revenue. More than 80% of patients are no longer covered for essential sexual and reproductive care, including cancer screening, STI testing, vasectomies, abortion care, and more. Yet the organization assures these patients are not turned away. People are still being treated, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status.

Care Can’t Wait is a strategic, $12M, one-year initiative to help fill the funding gap for 17 PPNorCal health centers and safeguard access to sexual and reproductive health care. To date, PPNorCal has raised more than $4M in donations to help secure the future of Planned Parenthood health centers throughout Northern California.

Visit PPNorCal.org/carecantwait to participate in the campaign’s donor match and learn more about this essential community resource.