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EXCLUSIVE: Abby Johnson, a former Planned Parenthood clinic director who now advocates for the pro-life movement, described the organization’s decision to close two Houston facilities this fall as a “symbolic victory” for pro-life supporters.
Johnson, who left Planned Parenthood in 2009, stated in an interview with Fox News Digital that the closure of the clinics, including a once massive 78,000-square-foot facility, signifies a significant win for the pro-life movement in the wake of Texas’ abortion ban.
“I see this as a victory, particularly in terms of advancing the pro-life cause,” Johnson explained. “While it may not directly save lives, it is a symbolic win because women are no longer seeking abortions at these facilities. Instead, online platforms are now facilitating the procedures in Texas.”
Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, which operates several clinics in Houston and Louisiana, will be shutting down its Prevention Park and Southwest centers on Sept. 30, with the remaining Houston facilities being taken over by the organization’s largest Texas affiliate.
Facilities in states with abortion restrictions, such as Texas, have been forced to halt procedures following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, returning the authority to regulate abortion to the states.
Johnson, who worked at a clinic in Bryan, Texas, under Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast for eight years, recalled the excitement among her former colleagues when plans for the Houston mega-facility were announced. She resigned before the facility opened in 2010.
“I was present when they revealed the plans and the model of the building. There was a lot of enthusiasm about having this large abortion facility,” Johnson shared. “The capacity, the number of patients they could serve, the plan to perform 75 abortions daily, six days a week – it was all very exhilarating for them.”
“The fact that this facility will no longer be operational, even if surgical abortion is allowed in Texas again, is a significant victory,” she added. “The closure of this facility marks the end of its use for abortions, and that in itself is a triumph.”
The company cited rising costs, staff shortages, and low reimbursement rates as reasons for the closure of the two Houston facilities. Despite attempts by state GOP officials to shut down Planned Parenthood, nearly all abortions have been prohibited under Texas law.
The closures in Houston come amidst a series of shutdowns of Planned Parenthood clinics in various states, including New York, where the organization is selling its only Manhattan health center for $39 million.
Johnson, who now leads a pro-life ministry, noted that mergers were already underway during her time at Planned Parenthood and anticipates more closures and mergers across the country.
“The number of affiliates has more than halved since I left Planned Parenthood. They are merging, closing clinics, and laying off staff due to closures and mergers,” Johnson explained. “Morale is low, and the work environment is not positive.”
She mentioned that Planned Parenthood aimed to dominate the market and eliminate independent abortion providers to create a monopoly, a goal that now seems unlikely to achieve.
“Many independent providers are also closing. Planned Parenthood facilities are shutting down rapidly as well,” she pointed out.
Johnson also expressed her belief that the closure of the Houston facility is a blow to Planned Parenthood and the pro-choice lobby.
“Operating the largest Planned Parenthood in the country was a point of pride for them. Its closure is likely demoralizing and humiliating,” she said.
Regarding Planned Parenthood’s claim that abortions make up only 3% of its services, Johnson argued that this assertion has been disproven by the closures in states with abortion bans.
“The closure of facilities that do not offer abortions proves that abortion is a significant part of Planned Parenthood’s services,” she stated.
She was not surprised by the closure of the mega-facility, as it can no longer generate revenue from abortions and must rely on other services.
“A seven-story, 78,000-square-foot building offering only birth control and STD testing was bound to close without the revenue from abortions,” she noted.
Johnson pointed out that large facilities in Democrat-led states have not faced the same challenges as they can continue performing abortions and generating income.
She also highlighted the unique opportunity in states like Texas and Louisiana, where the absence of legal abortion and government funding could lead to further closures.
Johnson emphasized that despite the achievement in Houston, the pro-life movement still has work to do, as data shows that abortion rates in Texas have not decreased since the ban on surgical abortions.
“Even though abortion is technically illegal in Texas, the rate of abortions remains unchanged. Women are turning to online providers for the procedure,” she explained.
She also mentioned the easy accessibility of abortion pills, which further complicates the fight against abortion.
