LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Planned Parenthood of Michigan has launched its virtual health center, allowing patients to access birth control, emergency contraception, hormone therapy, and medication abortion online.

“We are thrilled to launch Planned Parenthood of Michigan’s virtual health center, a transformative step in our mission to make sexual and reproductive health care accessible to all,” said Paula Thornton Greear, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. “This innovative platform will break down geographical barriers and ensure that individuals in every corner of our state can receive the high-quality care they deserve.”

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The new platform offers medication abortion for patients within the first 10 weeks and 5 days after their last menstrual period. Patients are required to sign a consent form at least 24 hours prior to undergoing an abortion, although they need not visit the clinic in-person to do so. For children under 18, one parent must give permission for an abortion unless this requirement is waived by a judge.

Birth control and emergency contraception, which does not have an age requirement, can be accessed online without visiting a Planned Parenthood location. Transgender hormone replacement therapy requires one in-person visit.

“Through our virtual health center, we are revolutionizing the way health care is delivered, putting patients at the center and providing personalized, confidential care from the comfort of their homes,” Greear said. “We proudly embrace technology to expand access and serve our community with compassion, expertise, and respect.”

Earlier this month, Planned Parenthood announced a plan to restructure the organization’s national office to focus on helping local affiliates. The plan entails an investment of $70 million in “healthcare delivery, cutting edge technology, and building a powerful movement for abortion access at the state and local level.” One of the plan’s goals is to “reduce the need for travel and in-person appointments” for patients.

Union officials representing Planned Parenthood employees said they were told to expect layoffs affecting 10 to 20% of the national workforce.

“PPFA’s [Planned Parenthood Federation of America] leadership claims that the organization’s restructuring, and the layoffs it entails, is in service of state affiliates and of the movement for reproductive freedom – yet they are pushing out some of our movement’s brightest minds,” officials said in a joint statement from the DC, New York, and San Francisco unions. “We deserve more than empty claims of equity and of supporting our futures.”

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President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Alexis McGill Johnson released a statement announcing the structural change and acknowledging the layoffs.

“On Monday, we informed [national office staff] that affected staff will receive notice of job loss in mid-June,” she said. “The investments and structural changes we need to see through in order to restore rights and increase access to health care will take time, and I am confident that the changes we are making to the national office will help us get there.”