Evansville’s Planned Parenthood, located minutes away from campus, announced during the summer that it will be closing on September 4, 2025. According to their official announcement, the cause of its closing is “escalating attacks on sexual and reproductive health” (Planned Parenthood). Unable to continue providing this location with adequate resources, they decided to close the clinic altogether. Evansville’s Planned Parenthood was frequently used by people throughout the city, as well as many students here at the University of Evansville. Being away from home and not having quick access to reproductive health can be daunting, yet Planned Parenthood was conveniently right there to help. 

So, what does this closure mean for students? It means a newfound lack of access to contraceptives, guidance, and gender-affirmative care. It means traveling farther–the next closest location being in Carbondale, IL, almost one hundred miles away. It means struggling to find healthcare in a state that is so quickly trying to take it away. 

There’s a common misconception that Planned Parenthood exclusively provides or promotes abortions. While that is typically a service offered in other states, it is not in Indiana. Even still, the stigma around the topic and the focus on it diminishes the other services provided by the organization. The closing of the Evansville location should not be seen as a win for those who are Pro-Life, but rather a loss for the many students, non-students, and others who have relied on this place for so long to receive the care they need. 

Rachel Brown, the area services director, told 14 News, “We don’t plan to go anywhere as an organization, we wanna be here for Hoosiers” (14 News). Although they will continue to offer telehealth services, the removal of in-person care will prove difficult for many and emphasize  how challenging it is to navigate issues like these during rapidly changing times.