The Ferndale Planned Parenthood clinic will stay open through Aug. 31, 2028, after the Oakland County Board of Commissioners voted 11-6 on Thursday, Aug. 13, to approve a two-year, $1.5 million contract funding the facility.

The Ferndale Health Center is the only Planned Parenthood location in Oakland County. The Livonia clinic, which had served Northville and Novi-area residents, permanently closed July 30 after Planned Parenthood of Michigan cited a $4.2 million decline in federal funding.

The vote followed nearly three hours of public comment from residents on both sides of the issue. Northville resident Jonah Lyon spoke against the contract, telling commissioners, "I don't think it's necessarily fair for the government or county government to use the money that everybody has contributed to such a polarizing topic." Bloomfield Township resident Debbie Rosenman spoke in favor, telling commissioners, "Ferndale is the only Planned Parenthood clinic left in Oakland County. Passing this emergency resolution will keep [healthcare] access in place for thousands."

Board Chairman David T. Woodward, a Royal Oak Democrat, introduced the resolution as emergency funding. Commissioner Charlie Cavell of District 19, which covers Ferndale, voted yes and said the county would reimburse Planned Parenthood in $206 increments for care provided to Oakland County residents, up to the $1.5 million cap.

Commissioner Christine Long, a District 12 Republican, voted no, saying constituents in her district overwhelmingly called asking her to oppose the measure. She requested a full audit of how the funds are spent. Commissioner Kristen Nelson was the only Democrat to vote no, saying the board had not seen the actual contract, according to the Detroit News. Republican commissioners Philip Weipert and Mike Gingell were both absent.

Commissioner Michael Spisz moved to postpone the vote, arguing the board lacked detailed financials for the Ferndale location, ClickOnDetroit reported. That motion failed 6-11.

The contract will reimburse Planned Parenthood for eligible services including cancer screenings, STI testing, contraceptives and reproductive health counseling. Planned Parenthood of Michigan CEO Paula Thornton Greear told the board the Ferndale center faced a nearly $1 million operating gap after federal Title X funding was exhausted at the end of May and Medicaid reimbursement was blocked under Public Law 119-21. Planned Parenthood was the only Title X recipient in Oakland County.

Oakland County residents made roughly 6,000 visits to Planned Parenthood locations between July 2025 and June 2026, according to the organization. This is the second time in 10 years the county has funded the Ferndale clinic; the board approved $500,000 under a similar contract in 2019.

As we reported Aug. 11, the contract was placed on the agenda as an emergency resolution. Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter issued a statement supporting the vote.

The board's next regular meeting is Sept. 17.