Florida Planned Parenthood Clinics Limit Services Following National Office Review

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 26 Mar 2008 - 12:00 PDT

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Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward Counties is limiting its services after a Planned Parenthood Federation of America review of the affiliate's clinics, the Palm Beach Post reports (Sarmiento, Palm Beach Post, 3/22). According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, officials from PPFA during a routine review of the group's clinics found deficiencies in the conditions, medical operations, policies and procedures. PPFA asked the group to suspend services at the affiliate's clinics in Boca Raton, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Pembroke Pines and Deerfield Beach, Fla., until the problems are addressed.

The clinics' patients have been referred to other providers and county health departments, according to Adrienne Kimmell, executive director of the Florida Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates (Fooksman/LaMendola, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 3/21). The affiliate's administrative offices are open, and existing patients can still obtain test results, the Post reports (Palm Beach Post, 3/22).

PPFA's review coincides with the resignation of the affiliate's CEO Mary Capobianco, who has been replaced by former board member Ruth Lynch. Several members of the affiliate's board have been complaining about the conditions at the clinics to PPFA officials for at least 18 months, according to former board members Barbara Herring, Estelle Loewenstein and Jane Braus. At least four former board members after resigning in mid-2006 sent a letter to PPFA detailing "undisciplined" spending and "poor decision-making" by Capobianco. At the time of the letter, PPFA officials said they would look into the issues but did not provide additional details, according to former board members.

Karen Ruffatto, PPFA vice president for operations and affiliate relations, in a statement said the clinics "suspended services" to "make necessary service upgrades," adding that the federation "holds all of its local affiliates to a high standard of care and routinely evaluates patient services" (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 3/21). According to the Post, there is speculation that the Boca Raton office might merge with another affiliate in West Palm Beach or Orlando. Alex Arreaza, chair of the Boca Raton board, said that if the groups merge, "it is to make [services] better, stronger and more efficient."

Lynch did not provide details about the clinics' plans or what information she learned when she replaced Capobianco last month. Since taking office, Lynch has met with staff and reviewed financial records. She said PPFA will review the group again and make a decision following the second review. She said the office remains committed to patients, adding, "If we are not around in this community, we are in trouble. The whole community is in trouble" (Palm Beach Post, 3/22).

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