Oakland County Chairman Proposes Funding for Planned Parenthood Clinic

Oakland County Commission Chairman Dave Woodward is proposing up to $1.5 million in public funding for the Planned Parenthood clinic in Ferndale to maintain local reproductive health services through August 2028, a plan that has drawn pushback from Republican commissioners, according to a county news release.

Emergency Funding Proposal for Ferndale Clinic

The proposed emergency funding plan would allocate up to $1.5 million from the county’s general fund to the Oakland County Health Division. The division would then contract with Planned Parenthood to provide eligible services through August 2028, according to Chairman Dave Woodward’s office. Planned Parenthood of Michigan health centers recorded more than 6,000 visits from Oakland County residents between July 2025 and June 2026, the release states. Payments would cover specific medical services including cancer screenings, wellness exams, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, contraception, and reproductive health counseling.

“We are the last line of defense to stand up and not only make sure Planned Parenthood can continue to provide these services, but most importantly, that the thousands that rely on it can get access to these services,” Woodward said in a news release.

Precedent and Federal Funding Cuts

This is not the first time Oakland County has allocated local dollars to the organization. In 2019, the Board of Commissioners approved $500,000 to maintain Title X family planning and health services through Planned Parenthood after federal rules blocked the organization from receiving federal funds, according to the release. Only one other county in Michigan currently provides similar funding, according to Stephanie Jimenez, communication strategist for Planned Parenthood of Michigan. Washtenaw County commissioners voted on July 1 to allocate $500,000 to the organization, Jimenez said.

Woodward’s office pointed to recent federal policy shifts, stating that Congressional Republicans blocked Medicaid reimbursement for sexually transmitted infection testing, contraception, and other reproductive health services through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The press release also argued that the Trump administration reduced federal funding to Planned Parenthood.

Paula Thornton Greear, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan, said in the release that Woodward’s proposal represents a crucial, long-standing commitment to protecting sexual and reproductive healthcare in the region.

“As we face continued attacks that target our funding and our patients, the county is delivering a practical solution to bridge the gap,” Greear said.

Political Pushback and Strict Fund Separation

The funding proposal is facing opposition from Republican members of the county commission. Commissioner Bob Hoffman, a Republican from Holly, acknowledged that many of Planned Parenthood’s services are vital for people who cannot otherwise afford them. However, Hoffman said he would object if county money funded abortions, which are listed as a service at the Ferndale clinic.

In response, Jimenez stated that Oakland County would only reimburse Planned Parenthood for specific, pre-determined medical services delivered directly to county residents. Jimenez added that fee-for-service contracts are extraordinarily high-impact at the community level by directly sustaining local healthcare access, preventative care, and telehealth services.

“Like all health care networks, PPMI maintains rigorous, audited accounting practices and strict fund separation across all revenue sources to ensure full compliance with state and federal regulations, so public dollars from this contract will exclusively cover those specific preventative healthcare services,” Jimenez said in an email.

Meanwhile, Commission Republican Caucus Chair Michael Spisz stated that he and his caucus colleagues would oppose the funding move unless the county also supports pregnancy centers around Oakland County. Woodward called Spisz’s statement absolutely absurd, telling The News that the county is not funding pregnancy crisis centers because they are not healthcare facilities.

Next Steps for the Commission

Oakland County commissioners are scheduled to discuss Woodward’s plan during the Public Health and Safety Committee meeting on August 5. The full board will then consider the funding proposal for a vote on August 13, according to the release.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money is Oakland County proposing to allocate to Planned Parenthood?

Chairman Dave Woodward is proposing up to $1.5 million in county general funds to contract for health services through August 2028.

What services would the county funds cover?

According to the county news release, funds would reimburse specific preventative services such as cancer screenings, wellness exams, STI testing and treatment, contraception, and reproductive health counseling.

When will the Oakland County Commission vote on the plan?

The Public Health and Safety Committee will discuss the plan on August 5, followed by a full board vote on August 13.