A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration can bar Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds, a decision that marks a major victory for the administration’s efforts to restrict funding for organizations that provide abortion services.
In a ruling issued Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the federal government’s authority to block Planned Parenthood from participating in Medicaid programs, despite objections from patients and advocacy groups. The decision reverses lower court orders that had prevented the funding restrictions from taking effect.
Supporters of the ruling argue that taxpayer dollars should not indirectly subsidize abortion providers, even though Medicaid funds by law cannot be used to pay for abortions except in limited circumstances. Critics warn the decision could severely limit access to reproductive health care, particularly for low-income women who rely on Planned Parenthood for routine medical services such as cancer screenings, birth control, and STD testing.
The case is likely to intensify political and legal battles over reproductive rights ahead of the 2024 elections. Planned Parenthood signaled it would continue challenging the administration’s moves, while advocacy groups called on Congress and the states to safeguard funding streams for critical health services.
