Oregon protects abortion access after federal funding disruptions

Oregon law continues to protect abortion access. As a result, the state has become a regional destination for care as restrictions tighten in surrounding states. Earlier this year, federal budget decisions disrupted Medicaid funding streams for abortion providers, most notably Planned Parenthood, threatening access for tens of thousands of women. Oregon lawmakers approved emergency funding on November 18 to prevent clinic closures, underscoring a growing reality: even in states with strong legal protections, access to reproductive healthcare still depends heavily on federal policy and funding.

What we're watching: how long Oregon can sustain state-level funding if federal cuts go beyond one year, and whether clinic capacity keeps pace with demands from out-of-state women.

Why it Matters

Legal rights do not guarantee access. Clinics that provide abortion services require staff, facilities, and stable funding to serve patients—especially in states like Oregon, which care for people traveling from more restrictive states. When Medicaid funding is reduced or eliminated, low-income patients are often the first to feel the impact as clinics scale back services or close doors. Oregon’s response helped prevent immediate harm to women, but it also revealed how vulnerable healthcare access can be.

Background

As of this publication date, Oregon is one of 18 states that have adopted shield laws, which are designed to protect patients, providers, and those who assist individuals in obtaining reproductive care from civil or criminal actions brought by other states. These laws help safeguard abortion access within Oregon’s borders, but also allow Oregon's providers to help out-of-state patients via telehealth services and medication abortion prescriptions.

In 2025, a new federal budget law—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)—triggered significant cuts to Medicaid-related funding streams that many reproductive healthcare providers rely on. Medicaid plays a central role in reproductive healthcare access: nationally, Planned Parenthood estimates that roughly four in ten of its patients use Medicaid, and in Oregon, tens of thousands of patients depend on Medicaid coverage for preventive care, contraception, cancer screenings, and abortion-related services.

When federal funding uncertainty emerged, Oregon moved quickly to approve emergency state funding to stabilize clinics and prevent service reductions or closures. Supporters argued it was necessary to protect women's access to preventive care; critics said it wasn't necessary because many other providers could deliver similar services. Care providers warned that appointment availability could shrink and wait times could increase—especially for low-income, Black, Latina, and young women, both in and out of state.

Resources

Guttmacher Institute - Attacks on Shield Laws Are the Next Step in Criminalizing Abortion Care