Planned Parenthood closes its Manhattan Health Center on Bleecker Street

EVG photo from March

After 36 years, Planned Parenthood's Manhattan Health Center has closed on the SE corner of Bleecker and Mott. 

According to a release from Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY), the site saw its last patients this past Friday, with sexual and reproductive health services now being redirected to PPGNY centers in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as through its Virtual Health Center. 

Per the release:

Like many health care providers, PPGNY is fighting against the Trump administration's anti-reproductive health policies, which worsen ongoing systemic challenges within our health care system. In September, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the Trump administration to "defund" Planned Parenthood by blocking more than 1.1 million patients from using their Medicaid insurance at Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide.

While Governor Hochul announced that New York State will cover the federal portion of Medicaid reimbursement for Planned Parenthood, the federal government continues to threaten to reduce funding for sexual and reproductive health services. 

PPGNY previously announced that it is selling the property as part of a broader effort to strengthen long-term access to care for underserved communities across New York State. The official closure remains pending approval from the New York State Department of Health. 

In a statement from March, Wendy Stark, PPGNY's president and CEO, said the organization made the difficult but necessary decision to market the Bleecker Street building due to rising costs and the facility's aging infrastructure. 

"This is an emotional decision for us," Stark said. "26 Bleecker Street has always been a special place — from serving all who turn to us, to training providers who positively impact the sexual and reproductive health care landscape in Manhattan and beyond. Its legacy is cemented in history. Now, it's time for us to look ahead and continue investing in access to care and services for underserved communities."

PPGNY said funds from the sale will help sustain services for patients who need them most, and the organization hopes to build a new state-of-the-art health center in Manhattan in the future. 

Washington Square News was the first outlet to report on the pending closure here.