Majority Leader Pierce receives flu shot at, legislators tour Planned Parenthood health center to highlight family planning funding

$6 million in family planning funding approved by Gov. Mills and the Maine Legislature goes into effect today as the federal government attempts to defund health centers.

PORTLAND — Today, Senate Majority Leader Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, received her annual flu vaccine and was joined by fellow legislators at a tour of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Portland health center, which provides essential wellness and reproductive care services to Mainers, regardless of their ability to pay. This year, the Maine Legislature invested $6 million in Maine’s family planning services network, which consists of more than 60 service sites and a mobile health unit, serving more than 31,000 patients annually, 70% of whom qualified for free or discounted care in recent years. 

This funding was introduced and championed by Sen. Pierce this year as LD 143, “An Act to Improve Women’s Health and Economic Security by Funding Family Planning Services.”

The new funding takes effect today and comes in the wake of a federal court allowing President Trump and Congressional Republicans to block patients from using Medicaid insurance at Planned Parenthood health centers.

“It seems like every day there is more news out of Washington about attacks on our vital public health infrastructure, so Maine is committed to leading the way on protecting the well-being of every one of our neighbors,” said Sen. Pierce. “Family planning health centers like Planned Parenthood in Portland provide a vast range of essential services for patients, regardless of ability to pay, such as the flu shot I received today. I’m incredibly grateful for their dedication to compassionate care and proud to celebrate the investments in these services that the Legislature made this year. I encourage everyone to join me in getting their annual vaccines this fall.”

Sen. Pierce was joined at the center by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jill C. Duson, D-Portland; Senate Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel; and Rep. Sam Zager, D-Portland. During a tour, they got a look at how Planned Parenthood and similar health centers like Maine Family Planning provide essential health care services to patients, including birth control, cancer screenings, well-person care, vaccinations and testing and treatment of STIs. 

“We are grateful to all the reproductive rights champions in the legislature who worked to prioritize patients’ continued access to essential, lifesaving family planning health care through LD 143,” said Lisa Margulies, Vice President of Public Affairs, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England. “Everyone deserves to access the care they need, when they need it, and the family planning funding approved this legislative session will help offset the cost providers have borne due to increased patient demand and need for free and discounted care.”

“We welcomed Sen. Majority Leader Pierce, Assistant Majority Leader Duson, Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee Chairperson Sen. Ingwersen and HHS committee member Rep. Sam Zager at our Portland health center today,” Margulies continued. “They saw first-hand the important and vital role Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has in our state in providing comprehensive, compassionate and lifesaving care to anyone who needs it, regardless of ability to pay. We are proud to be able to offer the influenza vaccine at our health centers here in Maine. Vaccinations play an important role in keeping ourselves and our communities safe and healthy. We welcome anyone who wants a flu shot to visit a Planned Parenthood of Northern New England health center in Biddeford, Portland, Sanford or Topsham. We are committed to providing care that promotes healthy communities, no matter what.” 

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England has said that they will continue offering care to patients on Medicaid.

Funding for family planning services was included in the second part of the State’s biennial budget and LD 143. Both were signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills and took effect on September 24, 2025, 90 days after the First Special Session of the 132nd Legislature adjourned. This funding does not go toward abortions.

Senate Majority Leader Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, shows off her bandage after getting a flu vaccine at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Portland health center.

Left to right: Health Center Manager Lindsey Stevens; Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jill Duson, D-Portland; Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel; Rep. Sam Zager, D-Portland; Senate Majority Leader Teresa Pierce, D-Falmouth; and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Vice President of Public Affairs Lisa Margulies during a tour of the Portland health center.