Citing financial issues, New York’s local Planned Parenthood chapter says within weeks it will no longer provide abortions at 20-plus weeks or “deep sedation” for patients seeking to be put under for the insertion of intrauterine devices for birth control and surgical abortions.On Monday, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York told THE CITY that beginning on Sep. 3 it will be “temporarily” unable to provide those services, including a stop altogether for 20-plus week abortions.New York allows abortions up to 24 weeks or longer if the health of the pregnant person is at risk or if the pregnancy will not survive, and Planned Parenthood is one of several providers in the city that perform the procedure. A spokesperson for PPGNY, Senti Sojwal, said budgetary issues led to the “difficult” decision, and pointed to a recent op-ed co-authored by PPGNY’s president Wendy Stark that noted the state legislature’s failure to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for abortions has put a strain on its resources. More than 50% of patients at Planned Parenthood health centers rely on Medicaid, according to the organization. PPGNY currently uses a contracted anesthesia vendor for its procedures and covers 100% of the vendor’s contracts costs, but is “unable to do so any longer,” said Sojwal, “without sacrificing other essential patient services and community-centered programs throughout the state.” Planned Parenthood runs at least 22 other health facilities elsewhere in the stateCurrently, the group’s Manhattan Health Center on Bleecker Street is the only Planned Parenthood location in the city or state offering deep sedation and abortions at 20-plus weeks, noted Sojwal, adding that “our partners have stated that they have the capacity and desire to serve any patients who cannot get the services they need from PPGNY during this pause.”“We are one of numerous abortion providers in NYC,” said Sojwal. “We are fortunate to be part of an ecosystem of local care options.”Planned Parenthood patients in New York will still be able to receive local anesthesia and moderate sedation during their procedures, meaning they will not be put to sleep but will be relaxed during the procedure. Sojwal says PPGNY hopes to restore providing abortions at 20-plus weeks over the next six to 12 months.Planned Parenthood made the disclosure in response to questions from THE CITY after a reporter spoke with a patient who claimed the reproductive health provider had discontinued deep sedation beginning July 31 without informing patients already scheduled to receive treatment.Sojwal pushed back on claims it was not informing patients of the changes, stating that all patients are informed of the available pain management options — local and moderate sedation — “directly as they schedule their appointment.” DONATE to THE CITY The post Planned Parenthood to ‘Temporarily’ Stop 20-Plus Week Abortions in New York, Citing Financial Issues appeared first on THE CITY - NYC News.First published by THE CITY – NYC News.