by Misty Severi
A federal appeals court on Thursday night ruled that the Trump administration can stop Medicaid funding from going to Planned Parenthood clinics, which was part of a provision in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The appeals court reversed U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani’s ruling in Boston in July that it was likely unconstitutional to specifically target Planned Parenthood’s health centers for punishment for providing abortions.
The three-judge panel, who were all appointed by former President Joe Biden, ruled the government likely has the better argument after the Justice Department asked Talwani not to let Planned Parenthood “supplant duly enacted legislation with their own policy preferences.”
“Notwithstanding the contrary conclusion reached by the district court after its careful consideration of the matter, we conclude that defendants have met their burden to show their entitlement to a stay of the preliminary injunctions pending the disposition of their appeals of the same,” the appeals court said in an unsigned order, per the Washington Times.
Planned Parenthood said the stay means that 1.1 million patients can no longer use Medicaid to cover their abortions or other services it provides and makes 200 clinics at risk of closure, the Associated Press reported.
The nonprofit also said this ruling was a devastating blow to it.
“We are deeply disappointed that the court has allowed this harmful and unconstitutional law to go back into effect – once again blocking Planned Parenthood health centers from receiving Medicaid reimbursement for the essential care we provide,” Planned Parenthood CEO Dr. Sara Kennedy and Planned Parenthood Southwestern Oregon CEO Amy Handler stated.
“Despite this setback, our doors remain open. Planned Parenthood health centers across Oregon continue to provide high-quality, preventative health care to all patients, including 70% of our patients who rely on Medicaid for care. We are actively evaluating all available legal and funding avenues, and working closely with state leaders, and the Oregon Attorney General’s office to protect access to health care for the thousands of Oregonians who rely on us every day.”
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Misty Severi is a reporter for Just the News. Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network and contributed to this story.
Photo “Planned Parenthood” by Fibonacci Blue. CC BY 2.0.
