Article Summary –
Planned Parenthood of Michigan has resumed offering vasectomy services at its Irwin/Martin Health Center in Grand Rapids after hiring a provider skilled in vasectomy care, responding to increased demand following the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which reversed Roe v. Wade. The demand for vasectomies and tubal ligations has spiked among young adults since the decision, emphasizing the importance of reproductive health care and family planning. Despite providing services to over 60,000 patients annually through 10 clinics and a telehealth program, Planned Parenthood of Michigan faced clinic closures due to a 2025 federal law cutting off reimbursement for services from organizations offering abortions, except in specific cases.
Planned Parenthood of Michigan announced on Jan. 20 that it is now offering vasectomy services at its Irwin/Martin Health Center in Grand Rapids.
The organization had provided vasectomies through affiliates in the past but stopped a decade ago. Dr. Kate Starr, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood of Michigan, explained, “We couldn’t restart a vasectomy program until recently. Hiring a provider skilled in vasectomy care made it possible to bring this service back to our offerings.”
Vasectomies are safe, minor surgeries resulting in permanent sterilization for men. The outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthetic, involves cutting, tying, or blocking the vas deferens, tubes carrying sperm from the testicles.
A research letter from the University of Pittsburgh and Boston University, published by JAMA Health Forum in 2024, noted a rise in vasectomies and tubal ligations among adults 18-30 after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, affecting abortion rights.
Dr. Starr noted, “There’s been a significant increase in vasectomy demand since 2022, following the Dobbs decision. It underscores the importance of reproductive health care and family planning for everyone.”
In 2025, Planned Parenthood of Michigan provided services to over 8,500 men and gender-expansive patients, a nearly 40% increase since 2023.
“With the vasectomy relaunch, we hope people see we’ve been listening. Many face challenges like long waits for urologists or costly procedures. We’ve added a necessary service in an accessible, affordable way, prioritizing patient care and respect,” Starr said.
In spring 2025, Planned Parenthood shut down clinics in Jackson, Petoskey, and Marquette. Patients relying on these clinics now have to travel over 100 miles to the nearest facility.
The closures result from nationwide clinic shutdowns following a policy change in budget legislation signed by President Donald Trump in July 2025. The law restricts federal reimbursement for services by abortion providers, with exceptions for rape, incest, or life-threatening pregnancies.
For nearly fifty years, the Hyde Amendment has barred federal abortion coverage. Until the 2025 law, organizations like Planned Parenthood received federal support for contraception and screenings, but not abortions.
Planned Parenthood of Michigan currently operates 10 clinics and a telehealth program, serving over 60,000 patients annually.
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