My name is Amber Chadwick, and I am an avid supporter of and volunteer with Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas. I want to make clear that while I don’t speak on behalf of Planned Parenthood or any of its affiliates, I do speak of my own volition for a cause that I am deeply passionate about. For those who may not know, Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit that provides comprehensive sexual and reproductive health-care services, along with sexual education and community outreach. For more than 100 years, Planned Parenthood has advocated and provided care for its patients — no matter the cost.
Unfortunately, on July 4, 2025, the so-called Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law, resulting in the defunding of Planned Parenthood at the national level. Because a significant portion of Planned Parenthood’s funding comes from public sources, primarily Medicaid reimbursements and federal grants, the passage of this legislation has jeopardized nearly 200 health centers and placed 1.1 million patients at risk of losing access to health care. Some states are already experiencing the immediate shockwave of these budget cuts. Planned Parenthood is now absent in four states, and due to funding instability, at least 20 Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide have closed their doors. Patients have lost the ability to use Medicaid at Planned Parenthood health centers, a loss that disproportionately impacts low-income, uninsured, and rural communities. Texas, with some of the highest uninsured rates in the country, understands this cruelty all too well, as Planned Parenthood has been defunded at the state level for several years.
Planned Parenthood has no intention of backing down and has taken legal action against this dastardly provision. A coalition of 22 states has sued to block enforcement of the Medicaid defunding provision, stating that it is unconstitutional and detrimental to public health. While funding cuts have proceeded in some states, a federal judge successfully issued a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement in coalition states, effectively restoring Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood health centers in those states. Additionally, several states such as California, Illinois, and Washington have stepped in to supplement lost federal funding with state resources, and Planned Parenthood’s steadfast donors and supporters have also rallied to help sustain health care.
That said, the fight is far from over. Let this serve as a call to action, to stand up, organize, and champion the causes we all believe in. The time for good trouble is now.
In solidarity,
Amber Chadwick
Fort Worth
Amber Chadwick is a Texas-based writer and activist who volunteers with Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas and advocates for reproductive health-care access, health equity, and community-based initiatives.
This letter reflects the opinions and fact-gathering of the author(s) and only the author(s) and not the Fort Worth Weekly. To submit a letter, please email Editor Anthony Mariani at Anthony@FWWeekly.com. He will gently edit it for clarity and concision.
