As Planned Parenthood celebrates its 100th anniversary nationally this year, a new era begins in Michigan: two Planned Parenthood affiliates have come together to form Planned Parenthood of Michigan. Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) is the result of a merger between Planned Parenthood Mid and South Michigan (PPMSM) and Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan (PPWNM) that became official on May 1, 2016.
“At a time when the health care industry is experiencing seismic change, and the attacks against Planned Parenthood have been accelerating, Michigan’s two affiliates have joined forces to act with a singular, powerful statewide voice for reproductive health care policy; and to strengthen our ability to serve the health needs of Michigan families,” said Lori Carpentier, president and CEO of PPMI. Carpentier is the former president and CEO of PPMSM, and served at that affiliate in various roles for over thirty years.
The new PPMI operates 20 health centers throughout Michigan, from Benton Harbor to Detroit to Marquette. PPMI is headquartered in Ann Arbor with administrative offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Traverse City. All health centers and offices remain in their current locations. Twenty community leaders and representatives from across the state will serve as the board of directors to provide governance, fiduciary oversight, strategic planning and related guidance to PPMI.
The merger will help further Planned Parenthood’s mission of working to ensure broad public access to health care through medical services, education, and advocacy. As a combined, $20 million organization, PPMI will serve the health needs of nearly 65,000 women, men and young people, and provide comprehensive sexuality education programs to approximately 10,000 youth, each year.
Carpentier said PPMI will remain the leader when it comes to providing family planning services to Michigan’s underserved populations through the federal family planning program, “In 2015, the two affiliates saw nearly 50,000 patients under the federal family planning program (Title X), which is 69 percent of all the patients seen under that program in Michigan. Without Planned Parenthood, these patients would have difficulty accessing key services like birth control, cancer screenings and STD or pregnancy testing.
“Additionally, access to Planned Parenthood’s brand of compassionate, quality, affordable care will be protected for those who come to us with health insurance, or those who pay out-of-pocket fees based on their income,” Carpentier said.
Carpentier also sees potential to meet the health care needs of a wider diversity of Michiganders. And, she expects that as a larger organization, PPMI will be better positioned to attract and retain highly skilled employees, decrease overhead costs and expand its supporter base. “This merger, which coincides with our national centennial, will insure that we continue serving the women, men and young people of Michigan for the next 100 years,” added Carpentier.
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.
