Ex-Planned Parenthood Clinic in San Rafael Closes

Less than two days after , the organization’s former affiliate in San Rafael has shut down, citing a lack of funding. Golden Gate Community Health, which lost its Planned Parenthood affiliation last September amid financial and administrative problems, closed its clinic on H Street as well as its five other clinics in the Bay Area.

In a statement, Golden Gate Community Health CEO Therese Wilson said the closures were caused by diminished donor support and delays in state patient reimbursements.

“After thoroughly researching and examining our options, we made the difficult decision to close our health centers,” Wilson said.

The organization had been in business in the Bay Area since 1923, providing reproductive health-related medical services, including abortions, sexually transmitted disease testing and cancer screenings for more than 54,000 patients a year in the Bay Area, as well as sex education programs to approximately 10,000 residents a year.

The San Rafael clinic served approximately 12,000 clients a year, more than 90 percent of whom received a government subsidy for their health care because they are low income.

But the nonprofit had not broken even financially in five years, losing $2.8 million in 2008-2009 and another $536,000 in 2010. It launched a fundraising campaign in an effort to garner $1.5 million by the end of the year, but has fallen short of that mark, Wilson said.

“Over the past eight months, the new management team made significant operational and financial improvements and reduced operating costs by 33 percent, saving more than $600,000 per month,” Wilson said. “During this time we have been able to guarantee the same quality of care for which have been known. However, without expected additional funding we are unable to cover the revenue delays associated with state reimbursement."

Wilson said the organization is on the hunt for additional sources of funding and will be unable to reopen the clinics without new financing.

“The board of trustees will work to obtain financing in the hopes of reopening as soon as possible so the most vulnerable among us will be able to receive these most important reproductive health and education services,” said Golden Gate Community Health Board Chair Linda Davis.