California to dump tens of millions into keeping Planned Parenthood clinics open in the state amid national closures

California is pledging a whopping $140 million towards keeping Planned Parenthood clinics afloat in the state, as pro-life advocates tell The Lion “Big Abortion” is “scheming to grow their grip on taxpayer money.”

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state would invest more than $140 million in state funding to support the clinics, which offer abortions, birth control and gender-transitioning procedures such as hormone therapy and surgery referrals. Newsom called the clinics “critical health care centers” that provide patients “life-saving care.”

“California is a reproductive freedom state, and this latest investment continues to show our belief in protecting access to essential health care in times of distress. Trump’s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood put all our communities at risk as people seek basic health care from these community providers.” 

Yet pro-life advocates such as Kelsey Pritchard, political affairs communications director at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, are calling Newsom out for abetting Planned Parenthood despite the consequences for babies and mothers. 

“The Big Abortion industry is constantly scheming to grow their grip on taxpayer money and evade pro-life protections,” Pritchard told The Lion in a statement. “Blue-state allies like Gavin Newsom are willing to abet them, never mind the heavy toll on babies and mothers.” 

Despite Planned Parenthood’s win in California, Pritchard said the abortion giant is “losing big in Congress, in courts and increasingly in the hearts and minds of Americans.” 

“Even The New York Times now admits Planned Parenthood’s shoddy, substandard ‘care’ across the nation harms women. For the first time, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act defunded Big Abortion of approximately half a billion dollars at the federal level,” she added, noting that the Supreme Court recently upheld states’ rights to keep abortion businesses out of state Medicaid programs. 

“More than 40 Planned Parenthoods will have closed their doors in 2025. In California, and across the country, Planned Parenthoods are outnumbered by far better options and the pro-life movement is happy to help women locate the care they need.” 

Planned Parenthood currently operates more than 100 clinics across California. The group thanked Newsom for the funding in a statement and criticized President Donald Trump and Republicans for targeting the abortion clinics. 

California is not the only state to direct taxpayer funding towards keeping the clinics afloat amid national closures. Washington, Colorado and New Mexico have similarly promised funding towards Planned Parenthood, CalMatters reported, and Oregon and New York are considering similar measures.