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Planned Parenthood’s Largest Health Center in USA Now Open in Downtown Oakland

Located above the 12th Street BART station, the Barbara Lee Oakland Health Center, offers 12,000 square feet of comprehensive care
By - posted 1/23/2025 No Comment

Planned Parenthood has opened its largest health center in the country, right in the heart of downtown Oakland. Located in the historic Central Building at 1400 Broadway, across from Frank Ogawa Plaza, this state-of-the-art facility spans 12,000 square feet and features 19 exam rooms. Officially named the Barbara Lee Oakland Health Center, it began operations on December 17.

The new center reflects Planned Parenthood’s commitment to providing accessible, comprehensive reproductive and sexual health care to the Oakland community and beyond. Services include abortion care, contraception, prenatal care, hormone therapy for individuals undergoing gender transitions, and other essential health services. By offering care on a sliding-scale basis, the center ensures that patients from all economic backgrounds can access the care they need.

As abortion restrictions and limitations on gender-affirming care continue to increase across the country, this facility is positioned to meet the needs of patients traveling to California from states where such services are unavailable or restricted. Over the past two and a half years, Planned Parenthood’s regional network, Mar Monte, which oversees 34 health centers in California and Nevada, has served patients from 39 different states.

The Barbara Lee Oakland Health Center will also serve as a training hub for medical students and professionals, ensuring future generations of healthcare providers are equipped to offer abortion and gender-affirming care. With larger training rooms incorporated into the facility’s design, the center aims to normalize and destigmatize comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care.

The downtown location was chosen for its accessibility, situated above the 12th Street BART station and connected to multiple AC Transit bus lines. This central position makes it easier for Bay Area residents and out-of-state patients to reach the facility. As part of the transition, Planned Parenthood’s previous Oakland center near the Coliseum has been closed.

The Barbara Lee Oakland Health Center also embodies a spirit of community and activism, paying tribute to the rich history of Oakland. A mural in the waiting room honors the center’s namesake, Barbara Lee, a longtime advocate for reproductive rights and social justice. The artwork also reflects Oakland’s legacy of activism and resilience.

The opening of this health center represents a significant step forward in the fight for equitable access to reproductive health care and underscores the importance of California as a safe haven for patients in need. In light of ongoing challenges to reproductive rights nationwide, the Barbara Lee Oakland Health Center stands as a beacon of care, support, and advocacy for the Bay Area and beyond.

Thanks to Oaklandside for sharing the story.