Nearly 40 pro-life and faith-based organizations have called on the Trump administration to revoke Planned Parenthood's status as a qualified vendor, which would effectively cut off all federal funding to the organization. The group leaders argue there is mounting evidence of Planned Parenthood defrauding taxpayers, violating federal laws, and abusing public trust.
The letter, led by Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins, was sent to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler. It urges the administration to expand an audit initiated in January by the SBA into whether Planned Parenthood improperly obtained COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program funds.
If fraud is found, the administration could implement a nationwide ban, known as debarment, preventing Planned Parenthood from conducting business with any federal agency or program for up to three years. This administrative action does not require congressional approval and is seen by the groups as a more direct approach than legislative defunding efforts.
Kristi Hamrick, Vice President of Media and Policy for Students for Life Action, explained that debarment would mean Planned Parenthood would be delisted and unable to engage in business with any federal agency, including receiving Title X funds, Medicaid reimbursements, and funds for sex education programs. She stated, "It would make them persona non grata for every federal agency."
The coalition highlighted that administrative debarment has precedent, citing a 2022 letter from Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ben Ray Luján urging the Department of Justice to increase the use of debarment against corporations engaged in fraudulent activities. The SBA's action to suspend nearly 7,000 borrowers suspected of COVID relief loan fraud in January was also noted as an example.
The letter references a previous New York Times report detailing allegations from current and former Planned Parenthood staff regarding poor working conditions and low salaries. It also points to a report by the American College of Pediatricians, which allegedly found that nearly 80 percent of Planned Parenthood vendors offer cross-sex procedures, including to minors. Broader allegations against the organization include Medicaid fraud, trafficking of aborted fetal body parts, health and safety violations, and failures to report sex crimes against minors.
"It’s long overdue for the examination of an organization that has received more than $10.35 billion in taxpayer dollars, according to a 2022 report," the letter states. "In light of so many serious allegations against Planned Parenthood, we ask that a debarment investigation of Planned Parenthood be prioritized to debar and delist them, stripping them of qualified vendor status and making them ineligible for any federal taxpayer support."
Hamrick argued that the core issue is Planned Parenthood's qualification as a vendor and their alleged misuse of taxpayer funds. She stated, "The allegations of fraud . . . the racist work environment, the shoddy location of business, not following health and safety standards, all of the above." She added, "We are saying they are a nonqualified vendor."
The groups also addressed concerns about Planned Parenthood providing essential services, noting that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) significantly outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities. FQHCs have approximately 5,500 sites offering women's health services, compared to under 600 Planned Parenthood locations. In 2024, FQHCs served 32.5 million patients, while Planned Parenthood reported serving 2.08 million patients in its most recent annual report, indicating ample choice for women's healthcare providers.
Signatories to the letter included Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Family Research Council, Faith & Freedom, National Right to Life, Concerned Women for America, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Americans United for Life, American Principles Project, Family Policy Alliance, CatholicVote, and the National Association of Christian Lawmakers.