Miami Planned Parenthood Affiliate To Buy Two Clinics From Suspended Affiliate

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Abortion
Article Date: 08 Apr 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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The Planned Parenthood Federation of America on Thursday announced that Planned Parenthood of Greater Miami, Palm Beach and Treasure Coast will buy two of five clinics that were previously operated by Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward Counties, the Miami Herald reports (Samuels, Miami Herald, 4/4).

PPFA suspended services at the five South Palm Beach and Broward clinics after a February review found evidence of financial mismanagement and deficiencies in the conditions, medical operations, policies and procedures at the clinics. The national office asked the group to suspend services at the affiliate's clinics until the problems were addressed (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 3/28). South Palm Beach and Broward's other three clinics likely will remain closed permanently, Alex Arreaza, the affiliate's board chair, said.

The Miami chapter is "financially strong" and able to manage the two additional clinics, Judith Selzer, spokesperson for the Miami affiliate, said. Selzer said the Miami affiliate has not decided whether it will use the two clinics' buildings, which were previously operated under a separate budget and board. Selzer also did not say whether the Miami affiliate would eventually open an additional clinic in Broward County. An offer to merge the South Palm Beach and Broward board with Miami's board had not been extended as of Thursday, Selzer said. In addition, no decisions had been made about what would happen to the suspended affiliate's $3 million budget.

The South Palm Beach and Broward affiliate's board has 30 days to appeal the decision, and officials hope that a temporary clinic will open before then. "I'm disappointed that we didn't get the opportunity to improve things," Arreaza said, adding, "There's a lot we'll need to figure ... out in the upcoming days." The Miami affiliate currently serves about 30,000 clients at seven Planned Parenthood clinics in the area with an annual budget of $10 million, the Herald reports. The South Palm Beach and Broward affiliate served about 16,000 clients (Miami Herald, 4/4).

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